THE NEW SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT-
protecting our children from sexual predators
Certain sections of the long-awaited Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related
Matters) Amendment Act, No. 32 of 2007, came into effect on the 16th of December
2007 after being signed into law by President Thabo Mbeki. Section 72 of the Act
provides for the implementation of Chapters 1 to 4 and 7, which mainly deal with the
creation of statutory sexual offences, special protection measures for children and
persons who are mentally disabled, certain transitional arrangements and evidence related
matters. The Act will help intensify South Africa’s efforts to fight sexual crimes
against all persons and, especially, sexual offences being committed against vulnerable
groups, including women, children and people who are mentally disabled.
The Act also addresses the archaic law on sexual
offences that existed prior to this law coming into
effect. Amongst other critical things, it repeals
the common law offence of rape and replaces it
with a new expanded statutory offence of rape,
applicable to all forms of sexual penetration
without consent, irrespective of gender. This
simply means that a woman, a man (or a child)
can now be raped by another woman or man......read more
View the Act:
Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related
Matters) Amendment Act, No. 32 of 2007
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