New sex laws 'endanger' teens

2003-09-15 23:54

Jan-Jan Joubert

Cape Town - Members of the public and opposition political parties are outraged by draft legislation that could allow children between the ages of 12 and 16 to experiment sexually with other children in the same age bracket.

This clause was apparently included in the proposed Sexual Offences Amendment Act to keep in line with African traditions.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) and African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) have sharply criticised the parliamentary portfolio committee on justice for not allowing women's and community organisations more time to make oral representations to influence the bill. The proposed amendment act will also reduce the age of sexual consent from 19 to 16.

Sheila Camerer of the DA said she would insist on Tuesday that oral representations could still be made after Monday's deadline.

Camerer particularly objected to the omission of a clause that would have forced government to provide rape victims with antiretrovirals.

Steve Swart of the ACDP said his party was also concerned over the omission of the antiretroviral clause and were furthermore dismayed by the fact that the age of consent for homosexual sex was dropped from 19 to 16 years, the same as for heterosexual sex.

"The public is outraged about these recommendations and we have been inundated with requests that it be changed," Swart said.

He said sexual experimentation could have harmful medical effects for children and that it should be reconsidered if government was serious about protecting the rights and interests of children.

"The implications for our children are far-reaching. Teenage years are characterised by lots of conflict while the child becomes an adult. Our children should be guided and protected rather than exposed to sexual experimentation," Swart said.

- Beeld