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.