Changes to the wording of child sex abuse laws have passed South Australian parliament, bringing the state in line with other states who’ve made similar changes.
The amendment to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 changes “unlawful sexual relationship with a child” to “sexual abuse of a child”.
The change comes as part of the Harmony Campaign, spearheaded by former Australian of the Year and anti sex abuse campaigner Grace Tame.
The campaign seeks to harmonise sex abuse laws across Australia.
“Words matter, and the term ‘relationship’ carries a certain connotation that, quite frankly, should not be associated with the exploitative nature of child sexual abuse,” SA Attorney-General Kyam Maher said.
Ms Tame said the change “takes significant steps towards eliminating salacious debate and confusion”.
“Words hold immense weight,” she said on Thursday. “The previous terminology also gave scope for the sexualisation and adultification of boys and girls in a particularly dark, twisted context.
“This change may appear small, but it is not. Action like this and the official seal of approval it signals is not to be taken lightly.”
The change brings SA in line with Queensland, the ACT, NSW, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
A broader review of sex abuse laws is also being undertaken by both the SA and federal governments.
The change to the law doesn’t change any elements of the offence.