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Parliament is set to begin an inquiry into statutory rape on Friday, with the aim of recommending key amendments to the Sexual Offences Act. The review could lead to new provisions such as mandatory reporting by teachers, nurses, and other professionals who work with children.
The inquiry originates from a motion introduced by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the National Assembly last August. The process was revived in July this year after five parliamentary committees tasked with the matter were unable to meet the initial March deadline to conduct hearings.
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Over two days, the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities will convene in Johannesburg to examine the prevalence of statutory rape among young girls, the challenges in reporting cases, and the accuracy of available data on such incidents.
Parliamentary Inquiry Aims to Address Reporting Challenges
The hearings will also assess the requirements and obstacles linked to mandatory reporting, and identify possible measures to ensure better enforcement. Committee chairperson Liezl van der Merwe emphasised that the inquiry would also serve an awareness-raising purpose.
“As we know, South Africa is in the grip of a crime crisis, a gender-based violence crisis, as well as a crisis affecting our children, where the justice system is failing our children,” said Van der Merwe.
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The committee will move to East London next week for further hearings before returning to Parliament for the second phase of the inquiry. During this stage, input will be gathered from stakeholders and experts on ways to strengthen the Sexual Offences Act and improve protection for minors.
By the end of November, the committee intends to submit its recommendations to the National Assembly, paving the way for possible legislative reforms aimed at curbing statutory rape and safeguarding vulnerable children.
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