Helping rape victims in Singapore who come forward
SINGAPORE – In the sleepless hours after she had been raped by a man she once thought she would marry, Bella (not her real name), felt lost. The 23-year-old was alone at home as her parents were away. She could hardly face the thought of making a police report. Speaking to The Straits Times about... » read more
Why knowing sexual history and what victim wore could help police in rape investigations
SINGAPORE – It might be a deeply personal issue for some, and others might even be offended when asked. But knowing about a rape victim’s sexual history is important in rape investigations, said the police and criminal lawyers. Not only does it help in analysing forensic medical examinations, but it also helps investigating officers pose... » read more
YouTuber Dee Kosh charged with offering cash to boys below 18 for sexual services, among other offences
SINGAPORE – YouTuber Darryl Ian Koshy, 32, better known as Dee Kosh, appeared in a district court on Thursday (Aug 19) and was charged with offences including three counts of offering cash to boys below 18 for sexual services. Koshy, who was handed seven charges in all, is also accused of three offences under the Films... » read more
Doing more to keep child sex offenders from making same mistake
SINGAPORE – For a number of years, former primary school teacher Chock Soon Seng taught Chinese to primary and secondary school students as a freelance tutor. But he had a dark secret – the 43-year-old was convicted twice for sexually abusing boys. He was jailed for 10 months in 2010, when as a primary school... » read more
Grooming, self-blame and fear: Why intra-familial sexual abuse cases stay buried for years
SINGAPORE – Many intra-familial sexual abuse cases can stay hidden for years because victims may not know they are being abused or are afraid to get their abusers in trouble. In a 2003 review by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) on 38 local child sexual abuse cases, 16 victims told someone about the abuse... » read more
Protecting victims of intra-familial child sexual abuse
SINGAPORE – When the Ministry of Social and Family Development is alerted to a case of intra-familial child sexual abuse, its Child Protective Service (CPS) ensures the child is kept safe. This entails having an adult who can ensure the child is not left alone with the perpetrator, said manager of the CPS investigation team... » read more
Molestation cases on the rise, average of 1,190 a year between 2016 and 2020
SINGAPORE – Cases of molestation have been on the rise in recent years, and penalties for these offences are set to be raised to allow the authorities to better deal with such crimes, said Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam in Parliament on Friday (March 5). Between 2016 and 2020, an average of 1,190... » read more
S’pore set to raise penalties for 3 sex crimes, offender’s qualifications shouldn’t matter: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE – The maximum penalties for three sexual offences are set to be increased, as the Government seeks to send a strong signal that it takes a tough stance against such crimes. The proposed changes come after a review of penalties for hurt and sexual offences, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said in... » read more
Nearly 7,000 reports of sexual assault made over three years
About 40 per cent of sexual assault cases reported to the police from 2017 to 2019 involved victims below the age of 16. In those three years, there were 6,988 reports of sexual assault, including rape, sexual assault by penetration, outrage of modesty and sexual offences involving children and vulnerable victims, Home Affairs and Law... » read more
NUS to step up measures to tackle sexual misconduct
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is taking more steps to tackle sexual misconduct, in the wake of several recent cases which involved its faculty members and following a recent review. In an e-mail circular to students, staff and alumni yesterday, NUS president Tan Eng Chye laid out the measures the university will implement to... » read more
NUS admits falling short, vows to be more open on sex misconduct cases
The National University of Singapore (NUS) has fallen short in its handling of recent sexual misconduct allegations against former Tembusu College fellow Jeremy Fernando, said the college’s rector, Professor Tommy Koh. It has pledged to be more open in the way it provides information about sexual misconduct cases. The university sacked Dr Fernando after it... » read more