{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/18.2-361.01.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/18.2-361.01.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/18.2-361.01.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/18.2-361.01.html"}],"law_id":68045,"edition_id":1,"section_id":68045,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.01","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","history":"2022, c. 594.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” means any nonhuman vertebrate species.\n\t\t\t“Obscene” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-372.\n\t\t\t“Obscene item” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-373.\n\t\t\t“Sexual contact” means any act committed between a person and an animal for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain involving (i) contact between the sex organs or anus of one and the mouth, sex organs, or anus of another; (ii) the insertion of any part of the animal’s body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person; or (iii) the insertion of any part of the body of a person or any object into the vaginal or anal opening of an animal or touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs or anus of an animal without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose.B\n\nAny person who knowingly (i) engages in sexual contact with an animal; (ii) causes another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in sexual contact with an animal; (iii) advertises, solicits, offers, sells, purchases, or possesses an animal with the intent that the animal be subject to sexual contact; (iv) permits sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any premises under his ownership or control; or (v) produces, distributes, publishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses, or possesses with the intent to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit an obscene item depicting a person engaged in sexual contact with an animal is guilty of a Class 6 felony.C\n\nAny person convicted of violating this section shall be prohibited by the court from possessing, owning, or exercising control over any animal. Additionally, the court may order such person to attend an appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling and may impose the costs of such a program or counseling upon the person convicted.D\n\nNothing in this section shall apply to an accepted veterinary practice; the artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes; an accepted animal husbandry practice, including grooming, raising, breeding, or assisting with the birthing process of animals; or generally accepted practices related to the judging of breed conformation.E\n\nFor the purpose of enforcing this section, the provisions of §§ 3.2-6502, 3.2-6564, and 3.2-6568 shall apply mutatis mutandis.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":246328,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” means any nonhuman vertebrate species.\n\t\t\t“Obscene” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-372.\n\t\t\t“Obscene item” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-373.\n\t\t\t“Sexual contact” means any act committed between a person and an animal for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain involving (i) contact between the sex organs or anus of one and the mouth, sex organs, or anus of another; (ii) the insertion of any part of the animal’s body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person; or (iii) the insertion of any part of the body of a person or any object into the vaginal or anal opening of an animal or touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs or anus of an animal without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":246329,"text":"Any person who knowingly (i) engages in sexual contact with an animal; (ii) causes another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in sexual contact with an animal; (iii) advertises, solicits, offers, sells, purchases, or possesses an animal with the intent that the animal be subject to sexual contact; (iv) permits sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any premises under his ownership or control; or (v) produces, distributes, publishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses, or possesses with the intent to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit an obscene item depicting a person engaged in sexual contact with an animal is guilty of a Class 6 felony.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":246330,"text":"Any person convicted of violating this section shall be prohibited by the court from possessing, owning, or exercising control over any animal. Additionally, the court may order such person to attend an appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling and may impose the costs of such a program or counseling upon the person convicted.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":246331,"text":"Nothing in this section shall apply to an accepted veterinary practice; the artificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes; an accepted animal husbandry practice, including grooming, raising, breeding, or assisting with the birthing process of animals; or generally accepted practices related to the judging of breed conformation.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":246332,"text":"For the purpose of enforcing this section, the provisions of §§ 3.2-6502, 3.2-6564, and 3.2-6568 shall apply mutatis mutandis.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14023,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commercial Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, etc","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":14022,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167659,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14023,"identifier":"3","token":"18.2\/8\/3","url":"\/18.2\/8\/3\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":14022,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes Involving Morals and Decency","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12972,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:46:37","permalink":{"id":167393,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14022,"identifier":"8","token":"18.2\/8","url":"\/18.2\/8\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12972,"edition_id":1,"name":"Crimes and Offenses Generally","identifier":"18.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:05","permalink":{"id":164139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12972,"identifier":"18.2","token":"18.2","url":"\/18.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55113,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-344","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-344\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-344","metadata":false},{"id":68451,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-345","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-345\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-345","metadata":false},{"id":79810,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346","catch_line":"Prostitution; commercial sexual conduct; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346","metadata":false},{"id":57611,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.01","catch_line":"Prostitution; solicitation; commercial exploitation of a minor; penalties","url":"\/18.2-346.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.01","metadata":false},{"id":77563,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-346.1","catch_line":"Testing of convicted prostitutes and injection drug users for sexually transmitted infection","url":"\/18.2-346.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-346.1","metadata":false},{"id":85705,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-347","catch_line":"Keeping, residing in, or frequenting a bawdy place; \"bawdy place\" defined; penalty","url":"\/18.2-347\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-347","metadata":false},{"id":83161,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348","catch_line":"Aiding prostitution or illicit sexual intercourse, etc.; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348","metadata":false},{"id":85373,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-348.1","catch_line":"Promoting travel for prostitution; penalty","url":"\/18.2-348.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-348.1","metadata":false},{"id":85342,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-349","catch_line":"Using vehicles to promote prostitution or unlawful sexual intercourse; penalty","url":"\/18.2-349\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-349","metadata":false},{"id":72571,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-350","catch_line":"Confinement of convicted prostitutes and persons violating \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-347 through 18.2-349","url":"\/18.2-350\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-350","metadata":false},{"id":62371,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-351","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-351\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-351","metadata":false},{"id":57027,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-354","catch_line":"Reserved","url":"\/18.2-354\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-354","metadata":false},{"id":57212,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-355","catch_line":"Taking, detaining, etc., person for prostitution, etc., or consenting thereto; human trafficking","url":"\/18.2-355\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-355","metadata":false},{"id":59657,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356","catch_line":"Receiving money for procuring person; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356","metadata":false},{"id":81938,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-356.1","catch_line":"Purchasing or selling of minors; exceptions; penalties","url":"\/18.2-356.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-356.1","metadata":false},{"id":62200,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357","catch_line":"Receiving money from earnings of male or female prostitute; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357","metadata":false},{"id":76497,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-357.1","catch_line":"Commercial sex trafficking; penalties","url":"\/18.2-357.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-357.1","metadata":false},{"id":59589,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-358","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/18.2-358\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-358","metadata":false},{"id":71784,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-359","catch_line":"Venue for criminal sexual assault or where any person transported for criminal sexual assault, attempted criminal sexual assault, or purposes of unlawful sexual intercourse, crimes against nature, and indecent liberties with children; venue for such crimes when coupled with a violent felony","url":"\/18.2-359\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-359","metadata":false},{"id":61388,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-360","catch_line":"Competency of persons to testify in prosecutions under \u00a7\u00a7 18.2-355 through 18.2-361","url":"\/18.2-360\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-360","metadata":false},{"id":55287,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361","catch_line":"Crimes against nature; penalty","url":"\/18.2-361\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361","metadata":false},{"id":68045,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.01","catch_line":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","url":"\/18.2-361.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.01","metadata":false},{"id":71996,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.1","catch_line":"Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense","url":"\/18.2-361.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":55287,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361","catch_line":"Crimes against nature; penalty","url":"\/18.2-361\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":71996,"structure_id":14023,"section_number":"18.2-361.1","catch_line":"Victims of sex trafficking; affirmative defense","url":"\/18.2-361.1\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/18.2-361.01\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2022. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 594<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":81551,"section_number":"18.2-372","catch_line":"\"Obscene\" defined","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-372\/"},{"id":86006,"section_number":"18.2-373","catch_line":"Obscene items enumerated","order_by":null,"url":"\/18.2-373\/"},{"id":56906,"section_number":"3.2-6502","catch_line":"State Veterinarian's power to inspect premises where animals are kept; investigations and search warrants","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6502\/"},{"id":62173,"section_number":"3.2-6564","catch_line":"Complaint of suspected violation; investigation","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6564\/"},{"id":76161,"section_number":"3.2-6568","catch_line":"Power of search for violations of statutes against cruelty to animals","order_by":null,"url":"\/3.2-6568\/"}],"permalink":{"id":167745,"object_type":"law","relational_id":68045,"identifier":"18.2-361.01","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.01","url":"\/18.2-361.01\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/18.2-361.01\/","token":"18.2\/8\/3\/18.2-361.01","dublin_core":{"Title":"Sexual abuse of animals; penalties","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 18.2-361.01","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal<\/span>” means any nonhuman vertebrate species.\n\t\t\t“Obscene” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-372<\/a>.\n\t\t\t“Obscene item<\/span>” means the same as that term is defined in § 18.2-373<\/a>.\n\t\t\t“Sexual contact<\/span>” means any act committed between a person and an animal<\/span> for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or financial gain involving (i) contact between the sex organs or anus of one and the mouth, sex organs, or anus of another; (ii) the insertion of any part of the animal<\/span>’s body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person; or (iii) the insertion of any part of the body of a person or any object<\/span> into the vaginal or anal opening of an animal<\/span> or touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs or anus of an animal<\/span> without a bona fide veterinary or animal<\/span> husbandry purpose. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any person who knowingly (i) engages in sexual contact<\/span> with an animal<\/span>; (ii) causes another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in sexual contact<\/span> with an animal<\/span>; (iii) advertises, solicits, offers, sells, purchases, or possesses an animal<\/span> with the intent<\/span> that the animal<\/span> be subject to sexual contact<\/span>; (iv) permits sexual contact<\/span> with an animal<\/span> to be conducted on any premises under his ownership or control; or (v) produces, distributes, publishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses, or possesses with the intent<\/span> to distribute, publish, sell, or transmit an obscene item<\/span> depicting a person engaged in sexual contact<\/span> with an animal<\/span> is guilty of a Class 6 felony<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any person convicted of violating this section shall be prohibited by the court<\/span> from possessing, owning, or exercising control over any animal<\/span>. Additionally, the court<\/span> may order<\/span> such person to attend an appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling and may impose the costs of such a program or counseling upon the person convicted. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall apply to an accepted veterinary practice; the artificial insemination of an animal<\/span> for reproductive purposes; an accepted animal<\/span> husbandry practice, including grooming, raising, breeding, or assisting with the birthing process of animals<\/span>; or generally accepted practices related to the judging of breed conformation. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> For the purpose of enforcing this section, the provisions of §§ 3.2-6502<\/a>, 3.2-6564<\/a>, and 3.2-6568<\/a> shall apply mutatis mutandis<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSEXUAL ABUSE OF ANIMALS; PENALTIES (\u00a7 18.2-361.01)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Animal” means any nonhuman vertebrate species.\n\t\t\t“Obscene” means the same as that term is defined in §\n18.2-372.\n\t\t\t“Obscene item” means the same as that term is defined in §\n18.2-373.\n\t\t\t“Sexual contact” means any act committed between a person and an\nanimal for the purpose of sexual arousal, sexual gratification, abuse, or\nfinancial gain involving (i) contact between the sex organs or anus of one and\nthe mouth, sex organs, or anus of another; (ii) the insertion of any part of the\nanimal’s body into the vaginal or anal opening of the person; or (iii) the\ninsertion of any part of the body of a person or any object into the vaginal or\nanal opening of an animal or touching or fondling by a person of the sex organs\nor anus of an animal without a bona fide veterinary or animal husbandry purpose.\n\nB. Any person who knowingly (i) engages in sexual contact with an animal; (ii)\ncauses another person by force, threat, or intimidation to engage in sexual\ncontact with an animal; (iii) advertises, solicits, offers, sells, purchases, or\npossesses an animal with the intent that the animal be subject to sexual\ncontact; (iv) permits sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any\npremises under his ownership or control; or (v) produces, distributes,\npublishes, sells, transmits, finances, possesses, or possesses with the intent\nto distribute, publish, sell, or transmit an obscene item depicting a person\nengaged in sexual contact with an animal is guilty of a Class 6 felony.\n\nC. Any person convicted of violating this section shall be prohibited by the\ncourt from possessing, owning, or exercising control over any animal.\nAdditionally, the court may order such person to attend an appropriate treatment\nprogram or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling and may impose the\ncosts of such a program or counseling upon the person convicted.\n\nD. Nothing in this section shall apply to an accepted veterinary practice; the\nartificial insemination of an animal for reproductive purposes; an accepted\nanimal husbandry practice, including grooming, raising, breeding, or assisting\nwith the birthing process of animals; or generally accepted practices related to\nthe judging of breed conformation.\n\nE. For the purpose of enforcing this section, the provisions of §§\n3.2-6502, 3.2-6564, and 3.2-6568 shall apply mutatis mutandis.\n\nHISTORY: 2022, c. 594.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}