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In the context of legal definitions related to minors, when an 18-year-old engages in inappropriate contact with a 13-year-old, they could potentially be charged with indecent assault. This charge generally pertains to unlawful touching or contact of a sexual nature without consent, especially when it involves a minor.

Indecent assault signifies actions that fall below the threshold of sexual intercourse but still involve inappropriate touching or contact that would be deemed offensive or harmful. Since the age difference and the nature of the contact are significant, the law aims to protect minors from such interactions, which can have a profound impact on their wellbeing.

The other charging options, while related to sexual offenses, have specific legal definitions that may not fit the details of the scenario as closely as indecent assault does. For instance, sexual assault typically involves a higher degree of violence or coercion, indecent exposure relates specifically to exposing oneself inappropriately, and statutory rape generally pertain to consensual sexual intercourse with a minor, which may not directly describe inappropriate contact without consent. Thus, indecent assault is the most fitting charge in this specific case.