{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-79",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003/section-79.json",
  "legislation": "ukpga/2003/42",
  "legislation_title": "Sexual Offences Act 2003",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/sexual-offences-act-2003",
  "path": "section/79",
  "kind": "section",
  "number": "79",
  "heading": "Part 1: general interpretation",
  "text": "(1) The following apply for the purposes of this Part.\n(2) Penetration is a continuing act from entry to withdrawal.\n(3) References to a part of the body include references to a part surgically constructed (in particular, through gender reassignment surgery).\n(4) “Image” means a moving or still image and includes an image produced by any means and, where the context permits, a three-dimensional image.\n(5) References to an image of a person (except in sections 66E, 66F , 66G and 66I) include references to an image of an imaginary person.\n(6) “Mental disorder” has the meaning given by section 1 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (c. 20).\n(7) References to observation (however expressed) are to observation whether direct or by looking at an image.\n(8) Touching includes touching—\n(a) with any part of the body,\n(b) with anything else,\n(c) through anything,\nand in particular includes touching amounting to penetration.\n(9) “Vagina” includes vulva.\n(10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .",
  "extent": "E+W",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Ss. 78,79 repealed (N.I.) (2.2.2009) by The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1769 (N.I. 2)), arts. 1, 78(f), Sch. 3; S.R. 2008/510, art. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in s. 79(5) inserted (6.2.2026) by Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (c. 18), ss. 138(3), 142(1); S.I. 2026/31, reg. 2"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Words in s. 79(5) substituted (29.6.2026) by Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 99(3), 255(1); S.I. 2026/689, reg. 2(1)(i)"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "S. 79(10) omitted (29.9.2026) by virtue of Crime and Policing Act 2026 (c. 20), ss. 114(4), 255(1); S.I. 2026/960, reg. 3(a)"
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [
    {
      "type": "inserted",
      "affecting": "ukpga/2026/20",
      "affecting_title": "Crime and Policing Act 2026"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/section/79",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-10-29T09:17:48.870823+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}