PUBLIC LAW 109–163—JAN. 6, 2006
119 STAT. 3259
it need not be proven that the accused knew that the other person engaging in the sexual act, contact, or liberty had not attained the age of 12 years. It is not an affirmative defense that the accused reasonably believed that the child had attained the age of 12 years. ‘‘(2) SIXTEEN YEARS.—In a prosecution under subsection (d) (aggravated sexual assault of a child), subsection (f) (aggravated sexual abuse of a child), subsection (i) (abusive sexual contact with a child), or subsection (j) (indecent liberty with a child), it need not be proven that the accused knew that the other person engaging in the sexual act, contact, or liberty had not attained the age of 16 years. Unlike in paragraph (1), however, it is an affirmative defense that the accused reasonably believed that the child had attained the age of 16 years. ‘‘(p) PROOF OF THREAT.—In a prosecution under this section, in proving that the accused made a threat, it need not be proven that the accused actually intended to carry out the threat. ‘‘(q) MARRIAGE.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In a prosecution under paragraph (2) of subsection (c) (aggravated sexual assault), or under subsection (d) (aggravated sexual assault of a child), subsection (f) (aggravated sexual abuse of a child), subsection (i) (abusive sexual contact with a child), subsection (j) (indecent liberty with a child), subsection (m) (wrongful sexual contact), or subsection (n) (indecent exposure), it is an affirmative defense that the accused and the other person when they engaged in the sexual act, sexual contact, or sexual conduct are married to each other. ‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this subsection, a marriage is a relationship, recognized by the laws of a competent State or foreign jurisdiction, between the accused and the other person as spouses. A marriage exists until it is dissolved in accordance with the laws of a competent State or foreign jurisdiction. ‘‘(3) EXCEPTION.—Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the accused’s intent at the time of the sexual conduct is to abuse, humiliate, or degrade any person. ‘‘(r) CONSENT AND MISTAKE OF FACT AS TO CONSENT.—Lack of permission is an element of the offense in subsection (m) (wrongful sexual contact). Consent and mistake of fact as to consent are not an issue, or an affirmative defense, in a prosecution under any other subsection, except they are an affirmative defense for the sexual conduct in issue in a prosecution under subsection (a) (rape), subsection (c) (aggravated sexual assault), subsection (e) (aggravated sexual contact), and subsection (h) (abusive sexual contact). ‘‘(s) OTHER AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES NOT PRECLUDED.—The enumeration in this section of some affirmative defenses shall not be construed as excluding the existence of others. ‘‘(t) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(1) SEXUAL ACT.—The term ‘sexual act’ means— ‘‘(A) contact between the penis and the vulva, and for purposes of this subparagraph contact involving the penis occurs upon penetration, however slight; or ‘‘(B) the penetration, however slight, of the genital opening of another by a hand or finger or by any object,
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