Which of the following is NOT a defense to assault and battery?

In the context of assault and battery, each of the other options represents a legal defense that can justify or excuse the use of force against another person. Consent involves an agreement by the victim to the conduct that constitutes the assault or battery, thus negating the unlawful nature of the act. Privilege refers to specific legal rights that allow a person to perform acts that may otherwise be deemed assaultive or harmful, such as a police officer making an arrest. Self-defense permits an individual to use reasonable force to protect oneself from imminent harm.

In contrast, truth is not relevant in the context of assault and battery. It is more applicable to defamation cases, where the defense of truth can be used to argue that a statement made about someone else is not legally actionable because it is factual. Since assault and battery are focused on physical harm rather than statements or claims, the concept of truth does not serve as a valid defense in these cases. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the distinction between defenses to physical harm versus those applicable to statements.