AUSTRALIA
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
1 September, 2014
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has today published two research reports by the Australian Institute of Criminology:
* History of child sexual abuse offences in Australia
* Brief review of contemporary sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia
Royal Commission CEO Philip Reed said the results of this research provide important reference material for the Royal Commission and other organisations carrying out work in this area.
“The first report outlines significant socio-political developments in respect of child sexual abuse which will assist the Royal Commission’s understanding of the way child sexual abuse legislation has developed in Australia. …
A summary of both reports is available below, the full reports can be read on the Royal Commission website
Key findings of reports
History of child sexual abuse offences in Australia
* 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.
* The AIC concludes that during this period child sexual abuse has been marginalised, denied, ‘discovered’ and ‘rediscovered’.
* The report also provides an overview of the development of legislation during the period 1950-2013 in the nine Australian jurisdictions
* Key developments in relevant legislation during this period which are discussed in detail in the report include:
o the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting males
o the removal of gendered language from legislation to enable the law to deal with matters involving male victims, female offenders and same sex offences
o broadening the definition of sexual intercourse
o introduction of specific legislation relating to child pornography
o introduction of mandatory reporting laws
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