Crimen injuria

Crimen injuria is a crime under South African common law, defined as the act of "unlawfully, intentionally, and seriously impairing the dignity of another."^[1] Although difficult to precisely define, the crime is used in the prosecution of certain instances of road rage,^[2] stalking,^[1] racially offensive language,^[3] emotional or psychological abuse,^[4] and sexual offences against children.^[5]

Etymology

The phrase crimen injuria is Latin, short for crimen injuria datum, meaning "offence committed without lawful cause".^{[citation needed]}

References

1. Clark, DM (2003). South African Law Reform Commission Issue Paper 22 Project 130: Stalking. South African Law Commission. ISBN 0-621-34410-9. Archived from the original on 8 May 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
2. "Topic:Road Rage". Sector Policing. South African Police Service. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
3. Hanti, Otto (9 August 2006). "Man fined after racial slur to top judge". IOL. Retrieved 10 July 2007.
4. Paralegal Advice Website, Chapter 7: Family Law and Violence against Women. Paralegal Advice. 2006.
5. van Niekerk, Joan (2003). South African Law Reform Commission Issue Paper 10 Project 108: Sexual Offences Against Children. South African Law Commission. ISBN 0-621-27352-X.