A History of Canadian Sexual Assault Legislation
1900-2000

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Indecent Acts

The Criminal Code, 1892, S.C. 1892, c. 29, s. 177.

[Indecent acts.]
177. Every one is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction before two justices of the peace, to a fine of fifty dollars or to six months’ imprisonment with or without hard labour, or to both fine and imprisonment, who wilfully–
    (a) in the presence of one or more persons does any indecent act in any place to which the public have or are permitted to have access; or
    (b) does any indecent act in any place intending thereby to insult or offend any person. 53 V., c. 37, s. 6.

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1906, c. 146, s. 205.

[Indecent acts.]
205. Every one is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction before two justices, to a fine of fifty dollars or to six months’ imprisonment with or without hard labour, or to both fine and imprisonment, who wilfully,—
    [In public places.]
    (a) in the presence of one or more persons does any indecent act in any place to which the public have or are permitted to have access; or,
    [As an insult.]
    (b) does any indecent act in any place intending thereby to insult or offend any person. 53 V., c. 37, s. 6; 55-56 V., c. 29, s. 177.

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1927, c. 36, s. 205.

[Indecent acts.]
205. Every one is guilty of an offence and liable, on summary conviction before two justices, to a fine of fifty dollars or to six months’ imprisonment with or without hard labour, or to both fine and imprisonment, who wilfully
    [In public places.]
    (a) in the presence of one or more persons does any indecent act in any place to which the public have or are permitted to have access; or
    [As an insult.]
    (b) does any indecent act in any place intending thereby to insult or offend any person. R.S., c. 146, s. 205.

Criminal Code, S.C. 1953-54, c. 51, s. 158.

[Indecent acts.]
158. Every one who wilfully does an indecent act
    (a) in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or
    (b) in any place, with intent thereby to insult or offend any person,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1970, c. C-34, s. 169.

[Indecent acts.]
169. Every one who wilfully does an indecent act
    (a) in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or
    (b) in any place, with intent thereby to insult or offend any person,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. 1953-54, c. 51, s. 158.

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, s. 173.

[Indecent acts]
173. Every one who wilfully does an indecent act
    (a) in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or
    (b) in any place, with intent thereby to insult or offend any person,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction. R.S., c. C-34, s. 169.

An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Canada Evidence Act, R.S.C. 1985 (3d Supp.), c. 19, s. 7.

[Indecent acts]
173. (1) Every one who wilfully does an indecent act
       (a) in a public place in the presence of one or more persons, or
       (b) in any place, with intent thereby to insult or offend any person,
is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.
    [Exposure]
    (2) Every person who, in any place, for a sexual purpose, exposes his or her genital organs to a person who is under the age of fourteen years is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

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