ABSTRACT
Child sexual abuse began to be discussed as a social phenomenon in Finland at the beginning of the 1980s. The National Boards for Social Welfare and Health then invited experts to a seminar to discuss the matter in the light of some test cases. The seminar agreed that a study should be made of the prevalence of sexual abuse and that the authorities should give instructions for examining children and preventing abuse. The legislation on sexual abuse of children in Finland dates back to the Swedish–Finnish Law of 1734, which acknowledged wormen's rights to physical integrity. By this law, the sexual exploitation of a girl under 12 years of age was considered a rape which was punishable by death. Sexual intercourse with an older girl was dealt with as illegal extramarital carnal knowledge. The Child Welfare Act gives the welfare authorities the right to intervene if a child is maltreated.
