THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF CHILDREN TO BODILY INTEGRITY AND AUTONOMY

Abstract

This is the first of two articles focusing on the development and consequence of children’s constitutional rights to bodily integrity and autonomy, as expressed in South African legislation. While this particular contribution evaluates the core constitutional rights at play and analyses key legislative provisions giving effect to these rights in South Africa, the contribution which follows tackles a more specific issue: the inadequate regulation of the legal position of “saviour sibling” and
“benefactor children” in South African law.