§ 3251 - Definitions - Vermont Statutes

§ 3251. Definitions

As used in this chapter:

(1) A "sexual act" means conduct between persons consisting of contact between the penis and the vulva, the penis and the anus, the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or any intrusion, however slight, by any part of a person's body or any object into the genital or anal opening of another.

(2) "Sexual conduct" means any conduct or behavior relating to sexual activities of the complaining witness, including but not limited to prior experience of sexual acts, use of contraceptives, living arrangement and mode of living.

(3) "Consent" means words or actions by a person indicating a voluntary agreement to engage in a sexual act.

(4) "Serious bodily injury" shall have the same meaning as in subdivision 1021(2) of this title.

(5) "Bodily injury" means physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition.

(6) "Actor" means a person charged with sexual assault or aggravated sexual assault.

(7) "Deadly force" means physical force which a person uses with the intent of causing, or which the person knows or should have known would create a substantial risk of causing, death or serious bodily injury.

(8) "Deadly weapon" means:

(A) any firearm; or

(B) any weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, whether animate or inanimate, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used, is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. (Added 1977, No. 51, § 1; amended 1985, No. 83, § 1; 1989, No. 293 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2005, No. 192 (Adj. Sess.), § 10, eff. May 26, 2006.)