Sexual assault is generally forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration of another person—against the person’s will and without the person’s consent. And although precise definitions and punishments vary from state to state, the criminal offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child includes the aggravating circumstance of the victim being a child under a certain age, as defined by the statute—which increases the severity of the crime.

In Maine, sexual assault is legally referred to as 'Gross Sexual Assault' and is defined under Maine Statute Title 17-A, Section 253. It is considered a crime when a person engages in a sexual act with another person and compels the other person to submit by force or threat of force, or when the victim is incapable of consent due to physical or mental incapacitation. The law also covers situations where the victim is under the statutory age of consent, which is 16 years old in Maine. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a more severe offense and occurs when the victim is under a certain age, typically younger than 14, and the perpetrator is at least a certain number of years older than the victim. The exact age difference required for the offense to be considered 'aggravated' can vary. In Maine, the penalties for sexual assault can range from a Class D misdemeanor to a Class A felony, depending on the circumstances, with aggravated offenses typically resulting in harsher punishments, including longer prison sentences and potentially lifetime registration as a sex offender.