8.171 Attempted Sexual Abuse-By Threat (18 U.S.C. Sec. 2242(1)) is a federal crime that occurs when an individual, with the intent to commit a sexual offense, threatens another person with the purpose of coercing or intimidating them into engaging in a sexual act. This crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine, or both. There are two types of attempted sexual abuse by threat: attempted rape or attempted sexual contact. Attempted rape is when an individual threatens another person with the intent to compel them to engage in a sexual act of penetration, without the victim’s consent. Attempted sexual contact is when an individual threatens another person with the intent to compel them to engage in a sexual act of touching, without the victim’s consent. In both cases, the individual making the threat must have the necessary intent to commit the sexual offense.