The criminal offense of sexual assault generally involves forced sexual intercourse, sodomy, or other sexual penetration of another person—against the person’s will and without the person’s consent.

Sexual assault laws vary from state to state, and in some states the traditional criminal offense of rape is defined as the criminal offense of sexual assault. In some states the touching, groping, or pinching of the body of another person without the person’s consent and for purposes of sexual gratification is defined as sexual assault—and in other states such nonconsensual sexual contact is defined as the criminal offense of sexual battery or forcible touching, for example.

Sexual assault and related criminal offenses are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Wyoming, sexual assault is defined under the state's criminal statutes, specifically in Wyoming Statutes Title 6, Crimes and Offenses. Sexual assault in Wyoming can include a range of nonconsensual sexual activities, from forced sexual intercourse to other forms of sexual penetration. The law distinguishes between first, second, and third-degree sexual assault, with the degree of the charge typically depending on factors such as the use of force, the presence of threats, the age of the victim, and the nature of the sexual act. For instance, first-degree sexual assault involves sexual penetration and may be charged when the perpetrator inflicts sexual intrusion on a victim by force or threat of serious bodily injury, among other circumstances. Wyoming law also addresses sexual battery, which generally refers to nonconsensual sexual contact that does not involve penetration, such as groping or fondling. These offenses are taken very seriously and carry severe penalties, including imprisonment. Victims of sexual assault in Wyoming have the right to seek legal recourse, and it is advisable for them to consult with an attorney to understand their rights and the legal process.