The revised law states children between the ages of 12 and 15 can consent to sexual acts with each other.

CAPE TOWN - A Bill that decriminalises sex between consenting adolescents has been signed into law.

Changes to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill were adopted by the National Assembly last month.

It states that children between the ages of 12 and 15 can consent to sexual acts with each other.

In October 2013, the Constitutional Court found that Sections 15 and 16 of the legislation were invalid and ordered Parliament to amend.

NGO, Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (Rapcan) was one of the applicants in the case.

The organisation's Christina Nomdo said, "Act 5 of the 2015 is a call to action for parents, the state and children. Parents must build closer relationships with their adolescents in order to influence their life choices. For the state to provide more effective sex education and for adolescents to not only listen to their peers, but also heed the advice of nurturing non-judgemental adults."