In 1983, reform legislation was introduced in Canada to change the treatment of victims of sexual assault and the processing of cases in court. This legislation, however, was only the beginning of reform. These essays explore the origins of the 1983 legislation, recent national trends in criminal justice statistics that relate to sexual assault, cultural bias, alternatives to sentencing, and the provision of civil compensation for sexual assault victims. Essays also analyze how cases are processed, how judges have constructed sexual assault, and how the level of harm caused is determined. The concluding chapters address the struggle between the courts and Parliament in determining the admissibility of sexual history evidence (before and after the "Seaboyer" decision) and the consultation process that contributed to the 1992 legislative changes. Several common themes emerge from the essays. One is that statutory revisions can effect changes in the behavior of criminal justice personnel only to a limited extent. Another is the need for explicit guidance in, and perhaps limits on, the exercise of discretion by these personnel in their handling of sexual assault cases. Finally, the essays make it clear that the issue of criminal sexual aggression can be understood and countered effectively only through an integrated approach that incorporates both sociological and legal perspectives. Appended bibliography (1977-1991) and the legal text of rape shield legislation