South Africa: Sexual Offences Bill flaws; TLAC calls for endorsement of submission to review committee

The Justice & Constitutional Development Portfolio Committee has called for written submissions from interested individuals & parties on the draft Sexual Offences Amendment Bill which seeks to amend the Sexual Offences Act of 2007.

The flaws in the legislation were highlighted in a recent ruling in the Western Cape High Court which held that 29 sexual offences provided for in the Sexual Offences Act may not constitute offences because of a lack of specific penalty guidelines. Convictions since the passing of the Act in 2008 are already possibly in jeopardy.

In this regard, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre to End Violence Against Women (TLAC) calls on organisations active in the women’s sector to endorse its submission to the Parliamentary Review Committee.

Some of the clauses that are sited as problematic but not limited to:
– Sections 15 and 16: Consensual sexual behaviours between children aged 12 – 16
– Section 42 (1):The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO)
– Section 54(1): Mandatory reporting requirements
Click here to view the full submission

Source SANAC News