Which criminal act is defined by harmful or sexual conduct against children?

The correct answer is willful cruelty to children, as it specifically pertains to harmful or sexual conduct directed towards minors. This act encompasses behaviors and actions that intentionally cause physical or emotional harm to a child and can include various forms of abuse, whether emotional, physical, or sexual. The focus on children is crucial because the law recognizes their vulnerability and the need for heightened protection against exploitation and maltreatment.

In this context, domestic violence, while a serious crime often involving harm or intimidation within a domestic setting, does not specifically target children as its primary focus. Rape, on the other hand, pertains to sexual assault against adults or children but is categorized distinctly from the overarching term of cruelty towards minors. Lastly, battery is defined as the unlawful use of force or violence against another person, which can occur in various situations but does not specifically address conduct directed at children. Thus, willful cruelty to children appropriately captures the essence of harmful or sexual conduct specifically against the younger population.