INDECENT ASSAULT AGAINST MINORS: LEGAL DEFINITION, TYPES, AND QUALIFICATION ISSUES

During the last ten years, the number of crimes against the sexual integrity of juveniles in the Republic of Kazakhstan has increased dramatically. However, very little research has been conducted to analyse the distinctive signs of nonviolent sexual crimes. The purpose of this study is to study the concept of «lewd acts» in the current legislation and to give an author's definition. It is planned to use qualitative methods of research, in particular, to analyse the experience and practice of applying these types of criminal offences in the Republic of Kazakhstan and foreign countries, as well as assessing the research of colleagues from neighbouring countries on the issues of criminal offences that infringe on the sexual integrity of minors and juveniles. As a result, the article offers the author's definition of «indecent assault», the main signs of physical and mental abuse, an analysis of the types of indecent assault (intellectual and physical, contact and non-contact), all sexual acts included in the objective side of the corpus delicti provided for in Article 124 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an analysis of the aim side of violent sexual acts, also infringing on the sexual integrity of juveniles, as well as recommendations for improving legislation in the Republic of Kazakhstan.