Laws regarding child sexual abuse

Laws against child sexual abuse vary by country based on the local definition of who a child is and what constitutes child sexual abuse. Most countries in the world employ some form of age of consent, with sexual contact with an underage person being criminally penalized. As the age of consent to sexual behaviour varies from country to country, so too do definitions of child sexual abuse.[1] An adult's sexual intercourse with a minor below the legal age of consent may sometimes be referred to as statutory rape,[2][3] based on the principle that any apparent consent by a minor could not be considered legal consent.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international treaty that legally obligates nations to protect children's rights. Articles 34 and 35 of the CRC require states to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. This includes outlawing the coercion of a child to perform sexual activity, the prostitution of children, and the exploitation of children in creating pornography. States are also required to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children.[4] As of January 23, 2015, 196 countries have ratified the Convention, including every member of the United Nations except the United States.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Overview of the nature and extent of child sexual abuse in Europe" (PDF). coe.int. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. ^ "Statutory Rape Known to Law Enforcement" (PDF). U.S. Department of Justice - Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
  3. ^ Black's Law Dictionary 8th Edition. child, "at common law, a person who has not reached the age of 14." See also definition under rape "carnal knowledge of a child is frequently declared to be rape by statute."
  4. ^ "unhchr.ch". www.unhchr.ch. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  5. ^ United Nations Treaty Collection. Convention on the Rights of the Child Archived 2014-02-11 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 May 2009.
  6. ^ "Weekly Press Conference on the Progress of the Government". Dayniile. 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.

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