When you hear the term "sexual assault," most people think about an intentional activity. For many people in Saint Paul, sexual assault denotes a violent, forceful exchange between two people. However, a 6-year-old was accused of sexual assault and suspended by his elementary school for the conduct.

There were no witnesses to the alleged "assault," and it's unclear whether anyone even complained. According to records, two first-grade boys were playing tag during recess. During the game, one boy's hand allegedly touched the upper thigh or groin area of another boy.

The boy's mother described the school's actions as "really overzealous." She added, "They were playing tag. There's no intent to do any sort of sexual assault." This did not happen in Minnesota, but the state law where it did happen dictates that sexual intent can only be applied to students who are in fourth grade or older.

A board-certified child psychiatrist said that in general, "it is quite common, normal even, for young children to touch each other's genital areas. It's curiosity... it's not sexual in the adult sense."

The boy's mother hired a lawyer and took strides toward legal action against the school district. She demanded that her son be moved to a different school, that his record be expunged and that the principal be disciplined.

Although the school district would not comment as to whether the principal was disciplined, the rest of the mother's concerns were addressed. Her son's record was cleared, and he was transferred to a new school. The boy, however, remains a bit confused about the entire affair. He's still adjusting to his new school, and he doesn't fully understand why he was in trouble to begin with.

Source: The New York Times, "A Touch During Recess, and Reaction Is Swift," Scott James, Jan. 26, 2012