Minister: Penalties for 3 Sex Crimes Will Increase & Academic Potential Shouldn’t Carry So Much Weight

After reviewing the sentences handed out by Singapore courts in relation to sexual and violent offences, Minister of Law, Mr K Shanmugam, has decided, much to the approval of the members of the Parliament, that the maximum penalties of 3 types of sexual crimes will be increased by a year each.

These 3 types of sexual crimes include: 1. Outrage of modesty or molestation; 2. Sexual activity carried out in the presence of a minor aged between 14 and 16 or showing them sexual images; and 3. Sexual activity carried out in the presence of a minor aged between 16 and 18, inclusive of showing them sexual images.

Worrying Statistics

According to the Singapore Police Force (SPF), there is an increasing trend in outrage of modesty cases in Singapore.

Mr Shanmugam is also quoted as stating that there has been a 24% increase in the number of reported cases of outrage of modesty from 2016 to 2020, in comparison to the 4 years before.

Back in January, the minister presented that there were 6,988 reported cases of sexual assault in Singapore from 2017 to 2019, of which 1,368 were prosecuted and 931 convicted.

1,364 of the offenders convicted between 2005 and 2019 had prior sexual assault convictions.

2,798 of the victims were children below 16 years old.

Serve Your Sentence; No More Excuses

Mr Shanmugam puts his foot down when it comes to the reasons most offenders come up with when it comes to mitigation pleas.

According to the minister, “Voyeurism is not merely a thoughtless act that a young student commits in a moment of folly. These and other similar offences, whether committed against female or male victims, should be dealt with seriously.

“These actions must be seen as an affront of fundamental values. There can in general be no excuses for these offences.”

He added, “You shouldn’t be able to come to court and say you have a bright future, you will go far and so on.

“You can go far. But first – serve the sentence,” he continued.

Pretty sure he wasn’t referring to just NUS students #justsaying

No More Community Service for Sexual Offenders

Considering the massive debate and outcry over the sentencing of several university students over sex crimes, with many calling for tougher sentences, it’s likely that the public would be receptive to this move as well.

In July 2020, an NUS student who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and strangled her was handed what seems to be a relatively light sentence of a short 12-day detention, a day reporting order for 5 months with counselling, and 80 hours of community service over a year.

There are of course more examples if you’ve bothered to download our app and read some juicy stories about certain NUS students.

Under this new amendment, the offender would not only be ineligible for community service, which is handed out for offences that carry up to a maximum jail term of 3 years; he could also be sentenced with up to 6 years in jail, a fine of S$10,000, or both.

Featured Image: Bonma Suriya / Shutterstock.com (Image is for illustration purpose only)