View source for Sexual Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm (Offence)

{{Currency2|April|2020}}
{{LevelZero}}{{HeaderOffences}}

{{OffenceBox 
|OffenceTitle=Sexual Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm 
|OffencePage=Sexual Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm 
|Section=272 
|Act={{OBCCC}} 
|CrownElection={{OBIndictableElection}} 
|Jurisdiction={{OBJurisdictionAll}} 
|Bail={{OBBailJudge}} 
|IndictableDisp= {{OBDisp14orMinVar}} 
|IndictableMin= 
{{OBTime|5 years}} (first, rest. f-arm)
{{OBTime|7 years}} ((subseq., rest. f-arm)
{{OBTime|4 years}} (other f-arm) 
|IndictableMax= {{OBTime|14 years}} }}

==Overview==
{{OverviewVIII|sexual assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm}}

; Pleadings
{{PleadingsHeader-N}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 272(1)(a) {{DescrSec|272(1)(a)}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-14Years}} }}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 272(1)(a) {{DescrSec|272(1)(b)}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-14Years}}}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 272(1)(c) {{DescrSec|272(1)(c)}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}} | {{Yes-14Years}}}}
{{PleadingsIndictableList-N|s. 272(1)(c.1) {{DescrSec|272(1)(c.1)}} | {{No}} | {{Yes}}| {{Yes-14Years}} }}
{{PleadingsEnd}}

{{PleadingsIndictElection-14Above|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

; Release
{{ReleaseHeader}}
|s. 272  {{DescrSec|272}} || {{ReleaseProfile-Indictable}} 
|-
{{ReleaseEnd}}

{{ReleaseOptions-Indictable|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

Under s. 515(6)(a)(vii), offences charged under s. 272 have a [[Reverse Onus|reverse onus]] on bail where it has "been committed with a firearm".

:''<u>Reverse Onus Bail</u>''
{{ReverseOnusCirc}}

:''Fingerprints and Photos''
{{IDCriminalAct|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

; Publication Bans
{{GeneralPubBan}}

{{486.4PublicationBan|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

; Offence Designations
{{DesignationHeader}}
|-
|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}|| {{OKMark}} <!--wire--> || {{OKMark}} (primary) <!--DO-->||{{OKMark-752(b)}} <!--SPIO--> || {{XMark}} <!--consent--> || {{OKMark-14Years}}
{{DesignationEnd}}
{{WiretapDesignation|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

{{DOPrimaryDesignation|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

{{SPIODesignation|B|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}}

{{SeeBelowForAncillary}}
{{reflist|2}}

==Offence Wording==
{{quotation3|
; Sexual assault with a weapon, threats to a third party or causing bodily harm
272 (1) Every person commits an offence who, in committing a sexual assault,
:(a) carries, uses or threatens to use a weapon or an imitation of a weapon;
:(b) threatens to cause bodily harm to a person other than the complainant;
:(c) causes bodily harm to the complainant;
:(c.1) chokes, suffocates or strangles the complainant; or
:(d) is a party to the offence with any other person.

; Punishment
(2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1) {{AnnSec2|272(1)}} is guilty of an indictable offence and liable
:(a) if a restricted firearm or prohibited firearm is used in the commission of the offence or if any firearm is used in the commission of the offence and the offence is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organization, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of
::(i) in the case of a first offence, five years, and
::(ii) in the case of a second or subsequent offence, seven years;
:(a.1) in any other case where a firearm is used in the commission of the offence, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 14 years and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of four years; and
:(a.2) if the complainant is under the age of 16 years, to imprisonment for life and to a minimum punishment of imprisonment for a term of five years; and
:(b) in any other case, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.

; Subsequent offences
(3) In determining, for the purpose of paragraph (2)(a) {{AnnSec2|272(2)(a)}}, whether a convicted person has committed a second or subsequent offence, if the person was earlier convicted of any of the following offences, that offence is to be considered as an earlier offence:
:(a) an offence under this section;
:(b) an offence under subsection 85(1) or (2) {{AnnSec0|85}} or section 244 {{AnnSec2|244}} or 244.2 {{AnnSec2|244.2}}; or
:(c) an offence under section 220 {{AnnSec2|220}}, 236 {{AnnSec2|236}}, 239 {{AnnSec2|239}} or 273 {{AnnSec2|273}}, subsection 279(1) {{AnnSec2|279(1)}} or section 279.1 {{AnnSec2|279.1}}, 344 {{AnnSec3|344}} or 346 {{AnnSec3|346}} if a firearm was used in the commission of the offence.
However, an earlier offence shall not be taken into account if 10 years have elapsed between the day on which the person was convicted of the earlier offence and the day on which the person was convicted of the offence for which sentence is being imposed, not taking into account any time in custody.

; Sequence of convictions only
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) {{AnnSec2|272(3)}}, the only question to be considered is the sequence of convictions and no consideration shall be given to the sequence of commission of offences or whether any offence occurred before or after any conviction.
<br>
R.S., {{LegHistory80s|1985, c. C-46}}, s. 272; {{LegHistory90s|1995, c. 39}}, s. 145; {{LegHistory00s|2008, c. 6}}, s. 28; {{LegHistory00s|2009, c. 22}}, s. 10; {{LegHistory10s|2012, c. 1}}, s. 26; {{LegHistory10s|2015, c. 23}}, s. 15; {{LegHistory10s|2019, c. 25}}, s. 97.
|{{CCCSec2|272}} 
|{{NoteUp|272|1|2|3|4}}
|{{Terms-
|"person" (s. 2)
}}
}}

===Draft Form of Charges===
{{seealso|Draft Form of Charges}}
{{DraftHeader}}
|-
| 
| 
|"{{ellipsis1}}, {{contrary|XXX}}.
{{DraftEnd}}

==Proof of the Offence==

{{ElementHeader}}

{{ElementLeft}}

{{Proving|sexual assault with a weapon|272(a)}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit [[Sexual Assault (Offence)|sexually assaulted]] the victim and 
# {{box}} the assault occurred while the culprit "carries, uses or threatens to use a weapon or an imitation of a weapon" {{ARConduct}}.

{{Proving|sexual assault causing bodily harm|272 (b)}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit [[Sexual Assault (Offence)|sexually assaulted]] the victim; and 
# {{box}} the culprit "threatens to cause bodily harm to a person other than the complainant"{{ARConduct}}.

{{ElementRight}}

{{Proving|sexual assault causing bodily harm|272 (c)}}
{{InitialElements}}
# {{box}} the culprit [[Sexual Assault (Offence)|sexually assaulted]] the victim;
# {{box}} in doing so the accused caused "bodily harm",  (See [[Causation]]){{ARCause}} and 
# {{box}} there was an objective foresight of the risk of bodily harm {{MRCause}}.

; Aggravating Factors to any offence under s. 272
# any aggravating factor:
## {{box}} the culprit "used" a "restricted firearm or prohibited firearm" "in the commission of the offence" (aggravating);
## {{box}} "if any firearm is used in the commission of the offence and the offence is committed for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organization" (aggravating).
## {{box}} if "firearm is used in the commission of the offence" (aggravating); or 
## {{box}} "the complainant is under the age of 16 years".

{{ElementEnd}}

==Interpretation of the Offence==
:''See also [[Sexual Offences]]''
It is not an essential element of the offence that the assailant cause bodily harm to the complainant. <ref>
{{CanLIIRx|Papalia|fq69m|2012 BCSC 245 (CanLII)}}{{perBCSC|Bruce J}}{{atL|fq69m|84}}</ref>

The use of a sex toy in the sexual assault may be considered sufficient to amount to sexual assault with a weapon where the accused "knowingly or recklessly used the object without the consent of the victim in circumstances where injury was reasonably foreseeable."<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Lamy|51t2|2002 SCC 25 (CanLII)|[2002] 1 SCR 860}}{{perSCC-H|Arbour J}}{{atL|51t2|16}}
see also [[Definition of Weapons]]<br>
</ref>

<!--
The offence does not require an objective forseeability of bodily harm as an essential element.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Brooks|20zkf|1988 CanLII 3018 (BC CA)|41 CCC (3d) 157}}{{perBCCA|MacDonald JA}}
</ref>
-->

{{Reflist|2}}
===Evidence===
{{Section486.3(2)}}

{{Section274to275|s. 272}}
{{Section274Offences}}
{{Section275Offences}}
{{Section276to277|s. 272}}
{{Section276Offences}}
{{Section277Offences}}
{{Section278Offences}}
{{Section278.2Offences|s. 272}}

{{reflist|2}}

==Defences==

The statutory defence of [[Duress|duress]] is excluded by s. 17 from applying to offences of sexual assault with a weapon or causing bodily harm.

===Consent===
{{seealso|Consent}}
A defence of consent it only available in limited circumstances. Where it is established that the accused intended to inflict bodily harm consent becomes irrelevant.<ref>
{{CanLIIRP|Zhao|fx9c6|2013 ONCA 293 (CanLII)|297 CCC (3d) 533}}{{perONCA|Tulloch JA}} - regarding jury instructions, lengthy case law review
</ref>

{{reflist|2}}

==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. x {{DescrSec|x}} || || || 
|- 
{{VictimEnd}}

{{606NoticeSPIO|s. 272}}

{{RestitutionNotice}}

{{VISNotice}}

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

; Maximum Penalties
{{SProfileMaxHeader}}
{{SProfileMax|s. 272(1)(a), (d) {{DescrSec|272(1)(a)}}<br> Victim aged 16 or more | {{NA}} | {{Max14Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 272(1)(b), (c), (d) [sexual assault threatening or causing bodily harm]<br> Victim aged 16 or more | {{NA}} | {{Max14Years}} }}
{{SProfileMax|s. 272(1) {{DescrSec|272}}<br> Victim under 16<br>From July 17, 2015 | {{NA}} | {{MaxLife}} }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

{{MaxPenaltyIndictment|s. 272(1)|'''{{Max14Years}}'''}}

; Minimum Penalties
{{SProfileMinHeader}}
{{SProfileMin|s. 272(1) {{DescrSec|272}}<br>  | {{NA}} |None | Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 272(1) {{DescrSec|272}}<br> Re Certain Firearms/Organized Crime<Br>From May 1, 2008 |{{NA}} | {{Max5Years}} | {{Min7Years}}, if within 10 years }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 272(1) {{DescrSec|272}}<br> Re Other Firearms| {{NA}} |4 years custody | Same }}
{{SProfileMin|s. 272(1) {{DescrSec|272}}<br> Victim Under 16 Years<br>From May 1, 2008 | {{NA}} |{{Min5Years}} | Same }}
{{SProfileEnd}}

Where the offence has an aggravating factor listed in s. 272(2)(a) then the minimum is '''{{Min5Years}}''', or '''{{Min7Years}}''' with a prior conviction. Under s. 272(3) prior offence within the meaning of s. 272(2)(a)(ii) can include convictions under s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}, 85(1), (2), 244, or 244.2. Likewise, s. 220, 236, 239, 273, 279(1), 279.1, 344, 346 where a "a firearm was used in the commission of the offence".

Where the offence has an aggravating factor listed in s. 272(2)(a.1), a "firearm is used in the commission of the offence", then the minimum is '''{{Min4Years}}'''.

Where the offence has an aggravating factor listed in s. 272(2)(a.2), a "complainant is under the age of 16 years", then the minimum is '''{{Min4Years}}'''.

; Available Dispositions

{{SProfileAvailHeader}}
|s. 272(a), (a.1), or (a.2)<br> No Aggravating Factors || any || {{SProfileNoDischargeOrCSO}}
|-
|s. 272(a), (a.1), or (a.2)<br>With Aggravating Factors || any || {{SProfileOnlyJail}}
|-
{{SProfileEnd}}

Where ''no'' aggravating factor listed in s. 272(a), (a.1), or (a.2), then there is no discharges or conditional sentences.

Where ''any'' aggravating factor listed in s. 272(a), (a.1), or (a.2) are present, then there is no discharges, suspended sentences, stand-alone fines, or conditional sentences.

; Consecutive Sentences
{{ConsecutiveSexOffence}}

===Principles===
; Young Victim
{{YVictimPrinciple}}

===Ranges===
{{seealsoRanges|Sexual Assault}}

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

{{AOrder1| [[Weapons Prohibition Orders]] | s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} | 
* {{Section109|A|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[DNA Orders]] |s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}|
* {{PrimDNA1|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} }} }}

{{AOrder1| [[SOIRA Orders]] |s. 272  {{DescrSec|272}}|
* {{SOIRA1|B|s. 272(2) or (2)(a.2)}} }}

{{AOrder1| [[Section 161 Orders]]|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}|
* {{Section161|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} }} }}

{{AOrder1| [[Delayed Parole Eligibility|Delayed Parole Order]] |s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} |
* {{ParoleDelayEligible|1|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}}}} }}

{{AOrderEnd}}

; General Sentencing Orders
{{GeneralSentencingOrders}}

; General Forfeiture Orders
{{GeneralForfeitureOrders}}

==Record Suspensions and Pardons== 
{{RecordSuspension|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} }}

; Victim Under 18
{{NoRecordSuspension|s. 272 {{DescrSec|272}} (where victim is under 18) }}

==History==
{{seealso|List of Criminal Code Amendments|Table of Concordance (Criminal Code)}}
* [[History of Sexual Assault with a Weapon or Causing Bodily Harm]]

==See Also==
*
{{OffencesNavBar/Sexual}}