Common Assault Common assault is found under section 61 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW). It is commonly known as "assault". Section 61 states: “Whosoever assaults any person, although not occasioning actual bodily harm, shall be liable to imprisonment for two years”. An assault may be established by proof of either physical contact (battery), or an act which intentionally or recklessly causes another person to apprehend immediate and unlawful violence. (R v Knight (1988) 35 A Cr