California law condemns all sexual assault crimes because they put the physical and psychological integrity of victims at risk. It’s important to note that severe sexual acts, such as sexual rape, are punished with harsh penalties, while prostitution and other sexual offenses may carry less severe penalties, depending on the case.

In California, serious sexual offenses include sexual acts and contact against minors under 18, sexual rape, physical assault resulting from a sexual act, among others. The California Penal Code condemns a variety of sexual offenses considered immoral, which threaten healthy social coexistence and cause serious psychological and physical harm to the assault victim, often leading to family separation.

Under California law, sexual offenses also include indecent exposure, prostitution, the rape of a companion, pornography, sodomy, and others.