(1)  Any person who unlawfully and indecently assaults another person is guilty of a crime.

Charge:  Indecent assault.

(2)  In any case in which it is provided that the consent of a person to the act charged shall be a defence to a charge under section 124 , the like consent to an act charged under this section given under the like conditions as to the age of the parties shall be a defence to a charge under this section.

(3)  Except as hereinbefore provided, the consent of a person under 17 years of age shall be no defence to a charge under this section.

(4)  This section is to be taken to be in force from 4 April 1924.

(5)  Nothing in subsection (4) impugns or otherwise affects the lawfulness of a conviction arising from conduct that occurred before the commencement of the Criminal Code Amendment (Sexual Offences) Act 1987 .