View source for Sexual Interference (Offence)

{{Currency2|August|2021}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}

{{OffenceBox
|OffenceTitle=Sexual Interference
|OffencePage=Sexual Interference
|Section=151
|Act={{OBCCC}}
|CrownElection={{OBHybridElection}}
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll-14Above}}
|Bail={{OBBailAll}}
|SummaryDisp={{OBDispMin}}
|SummaryMin={{OBTime|90 days}}
|SummaryMax={{OBTime|2 years less a day}}
|IndictableDisp={{OBDispSame}}
|IndictableMin={{OBTime|1 year}}
|IndictableMax={{OBTime|14 years}}
}}

==Overview==
{{OverviewV|sexual interference}}

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsHybridList-N|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-IfCrown}} | {{Yes-14Years}} }}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsHybridElection-14Above|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

; Release
{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|| {{ReleaseProfile-Hybrid}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Hybrid|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

; Publication Bans
{{486.4PublicationBan|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|| {{XMark}} <!--wire--> || {{OKMark}}  (Primary)<!--DO-->||{{OKMark-Indict}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark-14Years}}
{{DesignationEnd}}

{{DOPrimaryDesignation|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

{{SPIODesignation|A|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation3|
; Sexual interference
151 Every person who, for a sexual purpose, touches, directly or indirectly, with a part of the body or with an object, any part of the body of a person under the age of 16 years
:(a) is guilty of an indictable offence and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of one year; or
:(b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable to imprisonment for a term of not more than two years less a day and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of 90 days.

R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 151; 
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. 19 (3rd Supp.)}}, s. 1; 
{{LegHistory00s|2005, c. 32}}, s. 3; 
{{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 54; 
{{LegHistory10s|2012, c. 1}}, s. 11; 
{{LegHistory10s|2015, c. 23}}, s. 2.
|{{CCCSec2|151}} 
|{{NoteUp|151}}
|{{terms-
|[[Definitions of Parties, Persons, Places and Organizations#Person|"person" (s. 2)]]
}}
}}

===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
|151 {{DescrSec|151}} (''2008 to present'')
| [[Sexual Interference (Offence)|Sexual Interference]] (with hands)
| "{{ellipsis1}}did for a sexual purpose touch [alleged victim name or initialism] a person under the age of sixteen years [directly or indirectly] with a part of his body, to wit [identify accused's body part], {{contrary|151}}."<ref>e.g. {{CanLIIRx|GG|hsq9r|2018 SKQB 169 (CanLII)}}</ref>
|-
|151 {{DescrSec|151}} (''2008 to present'')
| [[Sexual Interference (Offence)|Sexual Interference]] (with object)
| "{{ellipsis1}}did for a sexual purpose touch [alleged victim name or initialism] a person under the age of sixteen years [directly or indirectly] with an object, to wit [identify the object used by the accused], {{contrary|151}}."
{{DraftEnd}}

{{reflist|2}}
==Proof of the Offence==
{{ElementHeader}}
{{ElementLeft}}

{{Proving|sexual interference|151}}
<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Quinones|fqbvb|2012 BCCA 94 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Hinkson JA}}</ref>
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} that victim was under the age of 16 at the time of the events alleged
# {{box}} the culprit knew the victim was under 16 ''or'' the accused did not take "all reasonable steps" to ascertain the age of the victim (per s. 150.1(4))<ref>see [[Consent in Sexual Offences]]</ref>
# {{box}} the culprit touched the victim anywhere;
# {{box}} the culprit used his body or an object; 
# {{box}} that that touching was for a sexual purpose

{{ElementEnd}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==

===''Mens Rea''===
It is suggested that sexual interference is a specific intent offence.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|B(KW)|gbh15|1993 CanLII 14711 (MB CA)|81 CCC (3d) 389}}{{perMBCA|Twaddle JA}}</ref>

; Touching
"[A]n accused who intends sexual interaction of any kind with a child and with that intent makes contact with the body of a child “touches” the child and is guilty of an offence. The section addresses not the instigator of the sexual conduct but rather the adult who for his or her own sexual purposes makes contact, whether as a primary actor or not, with the body of a child."
<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Sears|gcxkw|1990 CanLII 10938 (MB CA)|58 CCC (3d) 62}}{{perMBCA|Helper JA}}</ref>

; Age
The Crown needs only prove that the accused was aware, willfully bling, or subjectively reckless as to whether the victim was under the age of 16.<Ref>
{{CanLIIRx|WG|jhp50|2021 ONCA 578 (CanLII)}}{{perONCA-H|Watt JA}}{{atL|jhp50|69}} ("The fault element under s. 151 may be proven by establishing that the accused believed that the complainant was under 16, or that the accused was wilfully blind to the fact that the complainant was under 16. The Crown may also establish the fault element by proving beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused believed that there was a risk that the complainant was under 16, but went ahead anyway, choosing to do so despite the risk. In other words, the accused was reckless as to the complainant’s true age.")
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}
===Sexual Purpose===
Interference is a specific intent offence that requires proof that the touching was done for a "sexual purpose."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|KWB|gbh15|1993 CanLII 14711 (MB CA)|81 CCC (3d) 389}}{{perMBCA|Twaddle JA}}{{atp|392}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Sears|gcxkw|1990 CanLII 10938 (MB CA)|58 CCC (3d) 62}}{{perMBCA|Helper JA}}{{atp|64}}<br>
</ref>

A "sexual purpose" refers to the "sexual gratification" of the accused.<ref>
{{ibid1|Sears}}{{atp|64}}
</ref>
A "sexual purpose" can be found from the "circumstances of the situation, including the nature of the touching and any words or gestures accompanying the act."<ref>
{{CanLIIR-N|JAB|, 2002 CarswellOnt 3241, [2002] OJ No 3755}}{{at-|43}}<br>
See also [[Sexual Assault (Offence)#Sexual Purpose]]
</ref>

The term is also found in [[Definition of Child Pornography]] as well as the offences of [[Invitation to Sexual Touching (Offence)]], [[Sexual Exploitation (Offence)]], [[Voyeurism (Offence)]], and [[Indecent Act (Offence)]].

{{Reflist|2}}

===Evidence===
{{Section274to275|s. 151}}
{{Section274Offences}}
{{Section275Offences}}
{{Section276to277|s. 151}}
{{Section276Offences}}
{{Section277Offences}}
<!--
{{Section278Offences}}
-->
{{Section278.2Offences|s. 151}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Defences==
* [[Consent]]
* [[Mistaken Belief of Age]]

==Participation of Third Parties==
{{seealso|Role of the Victim and Third Parties|Testimonial Aids for Young, Disabled or Vulnerable Witnesses}}

; Complainant Privacy Rights in Sexual Offences
{{CPR-SexOffences}}

; Testimonial Aids
{{3rdPTestimonyAids}}

; On Finding of Guilt
{{VictimHeader}} <!-- Sections / Notice of Agree / Notice of Restitution / Notice of VIS --> 
|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|- 
{{VictimEnd}}

{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 151}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

==Sentencing Principles and Ranges==
{{seealsoSentencing}}
{{seealsoSentencingSexual}}

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}} <br>From July 17, 2015| {{Summary}} | {{Max2YearsLess}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br>From July 17, 2015| {{Indictment}} | {{Max14Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br>Until July 16, 2015| {{Summary}} | {{Max18Months}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br> Until July 16, 2015 | {{Indictable}} | {{Max10Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br>November 1, 2005 to July 16, 2015| {{Summary}} | {{Max18Months}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br>Until October 31, 2005| {{Summary}} | 6 months and/or $5,000 }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyHybrid|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|'''{{Max14Years}}'''|'''{{Max18Months}}'''}}

; Minimum Penalties

{{SProfileMinHeader‎}}

{{SProfileMin|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br> From August 9, 2012| {{Summary}} |{{Min90Days}}| {{SProfileSame}} }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br> From August 9, 2012| {{Indictable}} |{{Min1Year}}| {{SProfileSame}} }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br> November 10, 2005 to August 8, 2012| {{Summary}} |{{Min14Days}}| {{SProfileSame}} }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}<br> November 10, 2005 to August 8, 2012| {{Indictable}} |{{Min45Days}}| {{SProfileSame}} }}

{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MinPenaltyHybrid|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|'''{{Min1Year}}'''|'''{{Min90Days}}'''}}

; Available Dispositions
{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|| any || {{SProfileOnlyJail}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{OnlyJailAvailable|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

; Consecutive Sentences
{{ConsecutiveSexOffence|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}}

; Constitutionality
There is some sugestion that the s. 151 mandatory minimums violate s. 9 of the Charter but are saved by s. 1.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Lonegren|26xdq|2009 BCSC 1678 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Barrow J}} and {{CanLII|2bh6v|2010 BCSC 960 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Barrow J}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRP|EJB|ht496|2018 ABCA 239 (CanLII)|72 Alta LR (6th) 29}}{{perABCA|McDonald JA}}{{atL|ht496|73}}<br>
</ref>
Other courts have found the mandatory minimum of 1 year jail to be "cruel and unusual punishment" under the Charter.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Ford|h3pmh|2017 ABQB 322 (CanLII)|11 WWR 108}}{{perABQB-H|Veit J}} (section 151(1)(a))<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Hussein|h4pcx|2017 ONSC 4202 (CanLII)|141 WCB (2d) 231}}{{perONSC|Code J}} (section 151(1)(a))<br> 
{{CanLIIR-N|BJT|, 2016 ONSC 6616}} (section 151(1)(a))<br>
{{CanLIIRP|P(SJ)|gtr4x|2016 NSPC 50 (CanLII)|377 NSR (2d) 32}}{{perNSPC|Ross J}} - s 151(1)(a)<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Hood|hqjvd|2018 NSCA 18 (CanLII)|45 CR (7th) 269}}{{perNSCA|MacDonald CJ and Beveridge JA}} (s. 151(1)(a))<br>
{{CanLIIR-N|Scofield|, 2019 BCCA 3}}{{perBCCA|Harris JA}}{{perBCCADissent|Fisher JA}}<Br>
{{CanLIIRx|BS|hw5w0|2018 BCSC 2044 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Sharma J}} re s. 151 and 172.1<Br>
{{CanLIIRx|Horswill|hwx8p|2019 BCCA 2 (CanLII)}}{{perBCCA|Harris J}} re s. 151(a)<br>
</ref>

The minimum in s. 151(b) does not violate s. 15 of the Charter.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|TMB|fzs69|2013 ONSC 4019 (CanLII)|299 CCC (3d) 493}}{{perONSC|Code J}}
</ref>
{{Reflist|2}}
===Principles===
The sexual interference is a "serious violation of the physical and sexual integrity of the child" and has forseeably causes "serious psychological or emotional harm."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Hajar|gsn4w|2016 ABCA 222 (CanLII)|338 CCC (3d) 477}}{{HN1|/variation-of-sentence/considerations/R-v-Hajar-OA-2016-AR-TBEd-JL078/}}{{perABCA|Paperny, Watson and Fraser JJA}}
</ref>

It is an error of law to consider sexual interference less serious than sexual assault.<Ref> 
{{CanLIIRP|Friesen|j64rn|2020 SCC 9 (CanLII)|391 CCC (3d) 309}}{{perSCC|Wagner CJ and Rowe J}}{{atL|j64rn|120}}
</ref>

{{YVictimPrinciple}}

; Factors
{{YVictimFactor}}

It is an aggravating factor for the offender to have been in a position of trust. A position of trust is distinctive from a position of authority and will be determined on the specific facts including the conduct of the offender.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Audet|1fr9r|1996 CanLII 198 (SCC)|[1996] 2 SCR 171}}{{perSCC|La Forest J}} </ref>

{{reflist|2}}

===Ranges===
{{seealsoRanges|Sexual Interference}}

; Ontario
Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the range of sentence for sexual intercourse with a child by a person in a position of trust is 3 to 5 years.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|WWM|1mj8k|2006 CanLII 3262 (ON CA)|[2006] OJ No 440}}{{perONCA|Juriansz J}}{{atL|1mj8k|14}}</ref>

However, the upper end of the range can go beyond 5 years.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Mullings|fvf34|2012 ONCA 911 (CanLII)|OJ No 6087}}{{TheCourtONCA}}
</ref>

; Manitoba
In Manitoba, the starting point for sexual interference is 4 to 5 years where a major sexual assault occurs, including vaginal/anal intercourse, fellatio, or cunnilingus, on a child where the offender is in a position of trust.<ref>
{{CanLIIRx|RJ|gx3z5|2017 MBCA 13 (CanLII)}}{{perMBCA|Mainella JA}}{{atL|gx3z5|17}}<br>
{{CanLIIRP|Sidwell (KA)|gjcs0|2015 MBCA 56 (CanLII)|319 Man R (2d) 144}}{{perMBCA|Steel JA}}{{AtL|gjcs0|49}}<br>
</ref>

; Alberta
There is a starting point for serious sexual interference of 3 years.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Hajar|gsn4w|2016 ABCA 222 (CanLII)|338 CCC (3d) 477}}{{perABCA|Paperny, Watson and Fraser JJA}}{{atsL|gsn4w|63| to 68}}<br>
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==Ancillary Sentencing Orders==
{{seealso|Ancillary Orders}}
	
; Offence-specific Orders
{{AOrderHeader}}

{{AOrder1| [[Weapons Prohibition Orders]] | s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}| 
* {{Section109AHybrid|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[DNA Orders]] |s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|
* {{PrimDNA1|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[SOIRA Orders]] |s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|
* {{SOIRA1|BHybrid|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[Section 161 Orders]]|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|
* {{Section161|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[Delayed Parole Eligibility|Delayed Parole Order]] |s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}|
* {{ParoleDelayEligible|1|s. 151 {{DescrSec|151}}}} }}

{{AOrderEnd}}

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons== 
{{NoRecordSuspension|s. 151 [sexual interference]}}
==History==
{{seealso|List of Criminal Code Amendments|Table of Concordance (Criminal Code)}}
* [[History of Sexual Interference (Offence)]]

==See Also==
* [[Probation Orders|Typical Probationary Terms]]

{{Reflist|2}}

{{OffencesNavBar/Sexual}}