Written by: FOR SA
Article source: Supplied
Facts:
South Africa’s new domestic violence amendment act combats gender-based violence. However, it initially included ‘spiritual abuse’ as a new criminal offence without any clear definition.
FOR SA intervened, advocating for a definition to safeguard religious freedoms while addressing genuine concerns about abuse. Internationally, such laws have classified prayer and pastoral guidance as abuse, equating them with more extreme practices like forced medication or electroshock therapy.
Without FOR SA’s involvement:
This law might have adopted a vague, overly broad definition of ‘spiritual abuse,’ risking a precedent for future laws and regulations. Our efforts led to the inclusion of a more precise definition, aligning the act with South Africa’s constitution, which protects freedom of belief.
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Date published: 17/11/2024
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