Is Consensual public spanking between a guy and girl in the U.S. illegal?

Question

Say with a belt or paddle.

Answer 1

My American friends tell me that in most places in the US you'd probably both get arrested, even if it was obviously consensual. In the UK, I've found, people usually just laugh and the police are unlikely to intervene.

Answer 2

While the states are all different, I know that most would consider this a form of assault unless it was obviously done in a playful manner. Consensual isn't an effective defense, since laws for assault and domestic abuse are written in such a way that the accused can be tried even without the testimony of the "abused." It's something that BDSM folks in America have to consider. Since some victims of true abuse are known to allow the abuse to continue,and to refuse to press charges, the laws are written to work around that in order to "protect" the abused.

In any case, I haven't let that stop me from putting a young lady across my knees when she deserved it, public or not.

Answer 3

It could be considered assault, consentual or not.