In legal and safety contexts, is defined as the non-consensual touching of a person's private body parts for sexual gratification. It is classified as a serious sexual offense under various institutional and state frameworks, often falling under the umbrella of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. Legal and Technical Definitions
: Legal statutes, such as those in Michigan , define "erotic fondling" as touching a person's clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breasts (including developing breast areas in children). fondling
Definitions of fondling focus on the intent of the actor and the nature of the contact: In legal and safety contexts, is defined as
Fondling is a mandatory reportable offense for institutions under the Jeanne Clery Act . Definitions of fondling focus on the intent of
When a fondling report is made, specialized investigators (such as Title IX officers) follow standardized protocols: National Incident-Based Reporting System Volume 1