Aggravated Sexual Assault
Bill Cosby was convicted of aggravated sexual assault and sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for the acts committed against several women. Although the term “sexual assault” is well-known in both the US and Australian jurisdictions, the Australian position differs slightly.
Pursuant to the Criminal Code 1899 (Qld) section 352, any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults another person, or, procures another person to commit an act of gross indecency without consent is guilty of a crime. This crime holds a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
However, if the offender indecently assaults another person which includes bringing into contact any part of the genitalia or the anus of a person with a part of the mouth, the maximum penalty is increased to a maximum of 14 years imprisonment.
This categorization of sentencing aligns with the term of imprisonment imposed on Bill Cosby, as the case involved a sentence of no less than 3 years and no more than 10 years imprisonment.