Parliament’s justice portfolio committee says it favours the establishment of a paedophile register.
Committee chair Johnny de Lange, speaking during a briefing on the draft Sexual Offences Bill, has asked state law advisers to look into the creation of a such a register.
”We need a file of known paedophiles, and the easiest way to do it is by register.”
De Lange asked senior law adviser Dellene Clark, who presented the briefing, why a register had not been suggested in the Bill.
Clark said it had been considered, ”but with the low conviction rate, we thought it would create a false sense of security”.
De Lange dismissed this reasoning, saying children needed to be protected.
”If an offender can’t get a job because of this, if someone wants to be a vigilante, so be it. They [offenders] must be aware that it’s a consequence of their actions,” he said.
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) supported the proposal.
ACDP justice spokesperson Steve Swart said the register was long overdue.
”A person who chooses to commit such crimes must know that the consequences will be severe, and hopefully such a register will serve as a deterrent.”
The register should be made accessible to everyone, and especially schools and crèches, he said.
Members raised the concern that should such a register be made public. It would be difficult to reintegrate paedophiles into society.
De Lange said that as far he was concerned, paedophiles gave up their right to privacy through their actions.
Swart said the register would help prevent such offenders from being in a position of authority or care of children.
The draft bill currently requires paedophiles to disclose any previous convictions when applying for employment in a position that involves the care of children.
Swart said this, together with a register of paedophiles, ”should go a long way towards protecting our children from sexual abuse”. – Sapa