NATLEX
Database of national labour, social security and related human rights legislation
Sierra Leone >
| Name: | Sexual Offences Act, 2012. |
| Country: | Sierra Leone |
| Subject(s): | Criminal and penal law |
| Type of legislation: | Law, Act |
| Adopted on: | 2012-08-23 |
| Entry into force: | |
| ISN: | SLE-2012-L-92359 |
| Link: | https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_isn=92359&p_lang=en |
| Bibliography: | Legislation on-line  Sierra Leone Legal Information Institute (SierraLii), Sierra Leone PDF (consulted on 2013-02-19) |
| Abstract/Citation: | The Act, inter alia, incresaes the minimum jail sentence for sexual violations from two years to between five and fifteen years. It defines consent as an agreement by choice with the person having both the freedom and the capacity to make that choice. Persons under the age of 18 years are not capable of giving consent under the Act. Marriage can also not be used as a defence against violations of the Act, effectively prohibiting forced sex in marital relationships. The Act protects children, especially girls, from being abused by teachers, as well as traditional and religious leaders. The Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act (Cap 31.) is amended by repealing sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 15. |
| Amended text(s): |