Assault and stalking
Part of the Crime topic
tand what assault and stalking are, and what you must do and cannot do to follow the law in Queensland.
In short
Assault, sexual assault and stalking are serious offences in Queensland.
- Assault involves causing physical or mental harm to another person. This may include striking, touching, moving, or applying force of any kind to a person without their consent. Threatening another person can be classed as assault.
- Sexual assault is when a person touches you inappropriately without your consent, or forces you to commit or watch an act of indecency.
- Stalking is when someone pays unwanted attention to you and frightens you, causes mental harm, makes you believe you or your property are in danger, or prevents you from going freely about your daily life.
Consequences for breaking the law include maximum penalties of 10 years in prison for aggravated assault, 10 years in prison for aggravated stalking and life imprisonment for rape.
This page provides a summary of Queensland's assault and stalking laws. It's not exhaustive and should not be considered legal advice. Consult with a qualified legal professional for comprehensive information or matter-specific advice.
You must
To comply with the law in Queensland you must:
- Respect the personal boundaries and consent of others.
- Not engage in violent, threatening or inappropriate contact or behaviour towards another person without their consent.
- Report any knowledge of these crimes to police.
- Keep evidence such as messages or records of incidents if you’re being stalked.
You cannot
To comply with the law in Queensland you cannot:
- Physically harm, use a weapon against, threaten or intimidate another person.
- Touch another person inappropriately or force them into doing or seeing sexual acts without their consent (sexual assault and rape).
- Have sex with another person without their consent (rape).
- Have sex with another person who is under 12 years old (rape).
- Engage in stalking behaviours, such as following, loitering or repeatedly contacting someone without their consent.