Explanatory Memorandum to Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 Explanatory Memorandum

7.Policy Background

The Provisions

Part 3 – Sexual offences against children
Assault
Article 13: Assault of a child under 13 by penetration

7.40.Article 13 makes it an offence for a person intentionally to penetrate sexually the vagina or anus of a child under the age of 13 with a part of his body, such as a finger, or with anything else, such as bottle or other object. The penetration must be sexual, as defined in Article 4. Whether or not the child consented to the act is irrelevant.

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