What intent is required for the charge of sexual battery?

The charge of sexual battery specifically requires the perpetrator to have the intent of arousal while engaging in sexual conduct without the consent of the victim. This means that the individual must deliberately seek to achieve sexual gratification through the acts committed, and crucially, these actions must occur without the victim's consent.

Consent is a fundamental aspect of sexual conduct; without it, any sexual act can be classified as a violation. The emphasis on the intent to arouse highlights the sexual nature of the offense, distinguishing it from other types of assaults or battery that may not have a sexual component. Therefore, the correct understanding of sexual battery incorporates both the intent to achieve sexual arousal and the lack of consent from the victim.