It is characterised as a sex crime and has significant overlap with offences referred to as sexual assault.
A range of acts toward the more severe among those in its actus reus augmented other offences, including rape (section 1).
The mens rea and actus reus of the crime are similar to that for common law assault and/or battery, but with an additional element of "indecent circumstances".
In New South Wales, the offence of indecent assault is punishable under Section 61L of the Crimes Act 1900.
The mens rea and actus reus are the same for the common law offence of assault, the only distinction being that the act committed must have a sexual connotation.