Previous 53 / 88 Next

O’REGAN J and SACHS J [81] As we observed before, the constitutional commitment to human dignity invests a significant value in the inviolability and worth of the human body. The right to privacy, therefore, serves to protect and foster that dignity. Commercial sex involves the most intimate of activity taking place in the most impersonal and public of realms, the market place; it is simultaneously all about sex and all about money.44 Selling sex represents an opportunity for women to earn money but within the framework of deeply structured sexist and patriarchal patterns of social life. A prohibition on commercial sex, therefore, will not ordinarily encroach upon intimate or meaningful human relationships. Yet it will intrude upon the intensely personal sphere of sexual intercourse, albeit intercourse for reward. 44 Allen above n 35 at 169-70. 53

Select target paragraph3

● ● ●

Ellen Jordan et al v Ellen Jordan ors, 2002

Cases

Country

Latitude: -31.005484474142992

Longitude: 23.460146846172638

Country (linked Cases): South Africa

Court: South Africa: Constitutional Court, South Africa

Date of judgement: Oct 9, 2002

Keywords

Arrest
Right to dignity
Sexual offences

Gender of victim

Female: Woman (18+)

Gender of accused/perpetrator

Gender not specified

Language: English

Summary: This case concerns a brothel-owner, brothel employee and prostitute/sex worker who were all convicted in the Magistrates Court of contravening the Sexual Offences Act of 1957. They appealed to the High Court, arguing that the relevant provisions were unconstitutional. The High Court found that the section of the Act which criminalizes carnal intercourse for reward was unconstitutional bus dismissed the appeal in respect of the sections of the Act which criminalize keeping or managing a brothel (the brothel provisions). The appellants then appealed to this Court, arguing that the brothel provisions should be found to be unconstitutional. They also argued that the High Court order invalidating the prostitution provision should be confirmed. The state opposed the appeal on the brothel provisions and also opposed confirmation of the order invalidating the prostitution provision.

The Court accordingly unanimously upholds the constitutionality of the brothel provisions and by a majority refuse to confirm the High Court order invalidating the prostitution provision. The convictions and sentences imposed upon the three appellants in the Magistrates’ Court are accordingly reinstated.

Primary Documents

S v Jordan and Others (Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Task Force and Others as Amici Curiae.pdf
English
Download View

IHRDA SGBV Database

Select target paragraph3

Ellen Jordan et al v Ellen Jordan ors, 2002

Primary Documents

Notifications