Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007
Encyclopedia
The Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2007 (Act No. 32 of 2007; also referred to as the Sexual Offences Act) is a South African Act of Parliament
which comprehensively revised and codified the law relating to sex offences
. It repealed various common law crimes (including rape
and indecent assault
) and replaced them with statutory crimes defined on a gender-neutral basis.
:
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
which comprehensively revised and codified the law relating to sex offences
Sex and the law
In general, laws proscribe acts which are considered either sexual abuse, or behavior that societies consider to be inappropriate and against the social norms. In addition, certain categories of activity may be considered crimes even if freely consented to...
. It repealed various common law crimes (including rape
Rape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and indecent assault
Indecent assault
Indecent assault is an offence of aggravated assault in many jurisdictions. It is characterised as a sex crime.Indecent assault was an offence in England and Wales under sections 14 and 15 the Sexual Offences Act 1956...
) and replaced them with statutory crimes defined on a gender-neutral basis.
Long title
The act is entitledLong title
The long title is the formal title appearing at the head of a statute or other legislative instrument...
: