The intention of the contact has to be to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, or gratify someone’s sexual desire. That contact cannot be incidental or accidental. The contact has to be with a specific intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, degrade, arouse, or gratify sexual desire.
Sexual contact offenses are considered to be less severe felonies so Third Degree and Fourth Degree sexual abuse are criminalized as sexual contact. First Degree and Second Degree sexual abuse are criminalized as a sexual act. It is recommended that an accused individual reach out to a DC rape lawyer because sexual acts are considered to be serious offenses.