Sex between minors now legal

A bill was signed into law earlier this week, decriminalising consensual sex among adolescents.

National media houses reported the National Assembly adopted changes to the Criminal Law Amendment Bill last month. More specifically, alterations were made to the section regarding Sexual Offences and Related Matters.

At the time, Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services chairperson, Mathole Motshekga told the media she believed that as a society, it was our duty to educate children about abstinence.

“It’s not for the police and the prisons to educate children on morals. Society has to educate and bring up the children and teach them the correct moral values.”

In the past, adolescents could be criminally charged for having sex with other adolescents.

In 2013, the Constitutional Court ruled that parliament modify the legislation regarding consensual sex between teens, after ruling in two cases that sections 15 and 16 of the act were unconstitutional.

A Newcastle resident and parent claimed the new bill was bound to cause a stir nationwide.

“While I don’t believe throwing children into jail for having sex is the answer, decriminalising consensual sex among minors isn’t either,” she explained. “I feel education is the key to helping them understand the dangers and physiological effect sex will have on them in the long run.”

The bill further stated children between the ages of 12 and 15 were well within their rights to consent to sex.

“A 12-year-old child barely understands what life is all about, and yet they can consent to sex? That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!” she exclaimed.

According to the new law, putting children behind bars for consensual sex ‘infringes on their constitutional rights’.

The amendments have sparked debate among critics and fans alike.

The Newcastle Advertiser would like to hear from you.

Do you think the changes were necessary? What effect do you think this will this have on children in the long run?

Email us at ncschools@caxton.co.za