- Legal Basis
- § 177 StGB
- Sentencing Range
- Imprisonment from six months to five years; in especially serious cases imprisonment of not less than one year; aggravated forms carry imprisonment of not less than two years
- Summary
- Performing sexual acts on another person against their recognisable will or taking advantage of a situation where the victim is unable to form or express a contrary will
Sexual Assault (Section 177 StGB)
Sexual assault has formed the central offence for the protection of sexual autonomy since the 2016 reform of sexual criminal law. The reform introduced the principle of “no means no”: any sexual act against the victim’s recognisable will is criminal. Section 177 StGB covers a broad spectrum from simple assault through sexual coercion to rape. Expats facing such allegations in Germany should understand that the German approach differs significantly from many other legal systems.
Legal Basis
Section 177(1) of the German Criminal Code (StGB) provides:
“Anyone who performs sexual acts on another person against that person’s recognisable will, or has that person perform sexual acts on them, or causes that person to perform or tolerate sexual acts by or on a third party, shall be punished with imprisonment from six months to five years.”
Section 177(2) StGB covers situations where the victim is unable to form or express a contrary will (e.g., due to unconsciousness, sleep, illness, or intoxication). Section 177(5) StGB defines sexual coercion (use of violence or threats), and Section 177(6) StGB defines rape.
Elements of the Offence
Sexual act: The act must be sexual and of some significance (Section 184h No. 1 StGB). All forms of sexual touching and contact exceeding the significance threshold are covered.
Against recognisable will (Section 177(1) StGB): The contrary will must be recognisable, for example through verbal refusal, physical resistance, crying, or other unambiguous signs. A purely internal reservation that is not externally manifested does not suffice.
Inability to form or express will (Section 177(2) StGB): Exploiting a situation where the victim cannot form or express a will is also criminal, particularly in cases of unconsciousness, sleep, significant alcohol or drug intoxication, illness, or disability.
Element of surprise (Section 177(2) No. 3 StGB): Exploiting an element of surprise is also punishable.
Threat of a serious detriment (Section 177(2) No. 5 StGB): The threat must go beyond a mere announcement of the sexual act.
Sexual coercion (Section 177(5) StGB): Aggravated form involving use of violence, threat of present danger to life or limb, or exploitation of a defenceless situation.
Rape (Section 177(6) StGB): Sexual intercourse or similar, particularly degrading acts, especially penetration of the body.
Typical Methods of Commission
The range extends from sexual assaults in relationships despite recognisable refusal, through exploitation of alcohol- or drug-induced helplessness, to assaults exploiting a relationship of dependency. Other common scenarios include sexual assaults after events or at parties, assaults by supervisors or caregivers, and rapes involving violence or threats.
Sentencing Range
Sexual assault against recognisable will (Section 177(1) StGB) carries imprisonment from six months to five years. Sexual coercion (Section 177(5) StGB) carries imprisonment of not less than one year. Rape (Section 177(6) StGB) carries imprisonment of not less than two years. In less serious cases, mitigation is possible. Joint commission increases the minimum sentence.
Typical Defence Strategies
The question of consensuality frequently stands at the centre of the defence. The recognisability of the contrary will must be carefully examined in each case — ambiguous signals, contradictory behaviour, or subsequent reinterpretation may call the recognisability into question. Credibility assessment of the alleged victim’s testimony is of central importance, particularly in the absence of objective evidence (DNA, injuries, witnesses). The timing of the filing of the complaint and possible motives for a false accusation must also be considered. The distinction between the individual qualification levels (simple assault, sexual coercion, rape) has significant implications for sentencing and is regularly contested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was ist ein sexueller Übergriff?
§ 177 StGB erfasst sexuelle Handlungen gegen den erkennbaren Willen einer Person. Schwerere Begehungsweisen wie Gewalt, Drohung oder das Ausnutzen einer Lage führen zu Qualifikationen bis hin zur Vergewaltigung.
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
Im Mittelpunkt stehen die Glaubhaftigkeitsprüfung der Aussage, die Frage der Einvernehmlichkeit und objektive Beweise. Häufig steht Aussage gegen Aussage.
Wird diskret verteidigt?
Ja. Wir verteidigen mit besonderer Sorgfalt und Diskretion; eine frühe Akteneinsicht ist zentral.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Sexual Assault? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Sexual Assault requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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