The Centre for Applied Legal Studies in South Africa is pushing for a review of the country’s sexual offence laws, targeting problematic consent and rape definitions within the Sexual Offences Act. They argue that the current definitions place undue pressure on victims and survivors to prove nonconsent, perpetuating harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about sexual violence. CALS and other advocates are striving for a justice system that eliminates detrimental stereotypes and has a more sophisticated understanding of consent, treating everyone fairly and equally. The case has the potential to trigger a transformative shift in how South Africa – and possibly other countries – approach sexual offences.
