Historical review of sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia: 1788–2013

Hayley Boxall, Adam M Tomison, Shann Hulme

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned reportpeer-review

Abstract

The report provides an overview of the socio-political factors and events that have influenced the development of Australia’s child sexual abuse legislation from 1788-2013.

Key developments in relevant legislation during this period which are discussed in detail in the report include:
- the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting males
- the removal of gendered language from legislation to enable the law to deal with matters involving male victims, female offenders and same sex offences
- broadening the definition of sexual intercourse
- introduction of specific legislation relating to child pornography
- introduction of mandatory reporting laws.

Prepared by the Australian Institute of Criminology for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationCanberra
PublisherAustralian Institute of Criminology
Commissioning bodyRoyal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
Number of pages108
ISBN (Electronic)978 1 922009 78 4
ISBN (Print)978 1 922009 77 7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sept 2014
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameSpecial Reports
PublisherAustralian Institute of Criminology

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