Some commentators have suggested that consent may constitute a defence in the case involving the Bole SHS teacher and the student. However, the law is clear that consent obtained through the undue exercise of authority or influence is void. Undue influence arises where a person exploits a position of power, trust, or authority over another person to obtain consent that would otherwise not have been given. As a matter of public policy, the law affords special protection to vulnerable persons and carefully scrutinises relationships characterised by an imbalance of power, such as that between a teacher and a student.