'Kiss on the cheek'- a crime or sexual assault

It may not be sexual but it's almost certainly sexist, would be have done it to a man?

Stupid, wrong and possibly assault on Corona World but not sexual assault.

Yes. Totally obvious since you used the word customary.

It was a stupid thing to do but I don’t think it was a sexual assault.

Totally obvious I was talking about pre-virus, yawn.

In quite a few countries it's customary to kiss people on the cheek, up to 4 times, on meeting. Whether you know them or not. They do the same when they come to the UK. No great harm in it.

I'm not sure in law it is a sexual assault.

The offence is

Causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent

(1)A person (A) commits an offence if—

(a)he intentionally causes another person (B) to engage in an activity,

(b)the activity is sexual,

(c)B does not consent to engaging in the activity, and

(d)A does not reasonably believe that B consents

Presumably this was a thank you not sexually motivated. I also think it's not beyond the possibility that a woman would do the same to a man in similar circumstances although I expect posters won't agree that that would ever happen.

It's utterly misguided in the present circumstances - they could have just gone for assault.

A kiss on the cheek in the pandemic is herrendous. whether it would qualify as a crime the same way than coughing at people is, I am not sure

I don't see why not- it's worse if anything as it's direct contact.

I would not class it as a sexual assault, it devalues more serious crimes.

This. I used to regularly kiss family and friends on the cheek before the pandemic. Nothing remotely sexual about it. I agree you shouldn't do it if someone is uncomfortable - and certainly not in the middle of a pandemic when we're supposed to keep 2m away from people. But calling it "sexual assault" is ridiculous.

I would not class it as a sexual assault, it devalues more serious crimes.
I don't agree. Touching someone wo their consent is still touching someone wo their consent. Whether its a cheek, their butt or their tits. And that's what sexual assault is. It doesnt have to be violent or involving inserting fingers somewhere etc...
The lack of respect for women's boundary is a major issue and yes I believe that should also include an unwanted kiss.

Where I think things can be more grey is that the intention of a kiss might well not be sexual at all.

I would not class it as a sexual assault, it devalues more serious crimes. It was totally inappropriate though in any circumstances, but particularly at this time.

Live with

Why is anyone touching let alone kissing ppl they don’t know in the midst of a pandemic when we are all told to keep 2m apart from ppl we don’t love with? Why couldn’t he just say thank you?? That would have been fine!!

and why do some men think it’s ok to just touch women? Like the ones who move you out of the way in crowded pubs or gigs?

Pretty sure kissing someone who doesn't want you to is a crime? Or it bloody should be, especially now.

Why cant people keep their hands (and mouths) to themselves.

What is REALLY wrong is the reaction of both some posters who are clearly still feeding the line that women consent is automatic.
ANd the reaction of the police who just withdrew the appeal instead of the making it clear it IS a sexual assault (if the law says so)

A kiss on the cheek in the pandemic is herrendous. whether it would qualify as a crime the same way than coughing at people is, I am not sure.

A kiss on the cheeks in normal times is wrong and how wrong it is will depend a lot of the circumstances imo.