Bosa wants public to have easier access to sex offender’s register − launches petition

Build One South Africa (Bosa) wants to give the public greater access to the National Register of Sexual Offenders (NRSO).

The party launched a petition recently stating that current requirements for access to the register  “discourages transparency”.

As of 8am on 13 August, 2 439 people had signed the petition, testing the notion that South Africans wish to name and shame sexual offenders.

Purpose of the register

The NRSO is a database of persons convicted of sexual offences against children and the mentally disabled.

The database allows employers to check if a potential employee is fit to work with children and the mentally disabled.

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It is not open for public access but employers and job seekers can obtain a certificate from the Department of Justice.

Bosa’s deputy leader Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster described the process as “time consuming”, suggesting the six-week waiting period was too long.

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“We believe that the ease of access to such information is crucial to the security and well-being of our communities, particularly the most vulnerable among us,” stated Hlazo-Webster.

“Increased transparency in this area will also promote community vigilance, also aiding in the fight against sexual abuse and gender-based violence,” she added.

Offences applicable for registry

The offences that make guilty persons eligible for the NRSO include:

• Rape
• Compelled rape
• Sexual assault
• Compelled sexual assault
• Compelled self-sexual assault
• Statutory rape
• Statutory sexual assault
• Compelling or causing children to witness sexual offences or sexual acts
• Exposure or display or causing of exposure or display of genitalia
• Sexual exploitation of children and the mentally disabled
• Sexual grooming of children and the mentally disabled
• Child pornography or the creation of pornography with the mentally disabled

“Making the NRSO public will be a significant step towards deterring sexual offenders and those who abuse women, and holding them accountable,” concluded Hlaza-Webster.