Currently, the sexual abuse of children and minors is regularly highlighted in the media. Such abuse, however, became an offense only during the 19th century, along with the development of a particular, child-like social role for juveniles. Before 1800, adolescents were less excluded from adult life, including marriage and procreation. Sexual activities were also generally criminalized outside marriage. Statutes concerning child abuse had their origins in these laws, as well as in statutes that extended the scope of rape to the abuse of immature girls. Along with the increase in the age of consent from 10-12 to approximately 16 in most countries, abuse of boys and sexual contacts other than intercourse have been included in these statutes. This movement, sometimes supported by moral crusades against "immorality," occurred in most Western countries along with the extension of the school system, and with the acceptance of the view that adolescence should, as a distinct period of life, be devoted to the preparation for adult life. In recent years, the focus has shifted from combating "immorality" to the protection of vulnerable parties. Sexual contacts between juveniles have been gradually decriminalized; whereas, recent moral crusades call for tougher prosecution policies, bringing to the courts a higher proportion of cases, including those involving acts committed abroad and/or in the remote past. 1 figure, 3 tables, and 55 references