South African judge decriminalises child sex By By Katerina Nikolas Jan 16, 2013 in World Pretoria - The Pretoria High Court has made a landmark ruling by decriminalising child sex. The ruling allows children aged between 12 and 16 to engage in consensual sex. The ruling was made in response to an application from the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. The clinic argued underage pregnant girls were unwilling to seek abortions as it could lead to their prosecution. Judge Rabie determined that the current Sexual Offences Act is meant to protect children from predatory adults. However, the Act as it stood did nothing to protect children from rigours of the criminal prosecution service. Judge Pierre Rabie ruled in the Pretoria High Court that it is no longer a criminal offence for children aged between 12 and 16 to engage in consensual sex. According to the Citizen the judge ruled that certain sections of the Sexual Offences Act of 2007 regarding sexual consent between children were unconstitutional. IOL reported that prior to the ruling all consensual acts, including kissing, were illegal under the age of 16, leaving children open to prosecution.The ruling was made in response to an application from the Teddy Bear Clinic for Abused Children. The clinic argued underage pregnant girls were unwilling to seek abortions as it could lead to their prosecution.Judge Rabie determined that the current Sexual Offences Act is meant to protect children from predatory adults. However, the Act as it stood did nothing to protect children from rigours of the criminal prosecution service. VOA News reported the country's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) prosecuted teenagers, including pregnant girls, for having underage sex. NPA spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga was quoted as saying: "It is common to see 15 year old girls who already have three kids." Despite the high rate of child pregnancy it remains illegal for girls under the age of 16 to marry. More about Child sex, Pretoria High Court, Teddy Bear clinic, Judge Pierre Rabie More news from Child sex Pretoria High Court Teddy Bear clinic Judge Pierre Rabie