Sexual Offences Act 2018

Brief Description

In recent years, a number of measures have taken place in terms of criminal law which are significant for the sub-goal of men’s violence against women. One important reform is the new consent-based sexual offences act. This means that a perpetrator can be convicted of rape even without the use of threats or violence. Sex should be voluntary. Therefore, the courts must closely examine whether any such voluntariness has been expressed through words or deeds or in some other way. The act also includes a compulsory counsel for victims of sexual crimes. The amendment entered into force on 1 July 2018.