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Question:
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Ms Braema Mathiaparanam:
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"To ask the Minister for Home
Affairs if he will
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(a) give an update on the review
of laws governing sexual offences;
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(b) provide the figures for sexual
offences against children aged 15 and below for 2003 and 2004; and
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(c) state the possibility of
reviewing charges and laws to include paedophilia offences."
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Answer:
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I had previously informed this
House that MHA has convened a multi-agency committee to review sexual offences
currently prescribed in the Penal Code, Women's Charter and the Children and
Young Persons Act.
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This review, which is part of a
larger review of the Penal Code, is in its final stages. Our target is to
amend the Penal Code next year.
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As for the number of sexual
offences committed against children and young persons below 16 years of age,
there were 67 cases prosecuted in 2003 and 11 cases prosecuted between January
and September this year.
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I have made it very clear in this
House that MHA does not condone or tolerate sexual abuse of children and young
persons.
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Tough laws are already in place to
punish these offenders and to deter potential perpetrators. Despite the low
prevalence of such cases, MHA acknowledges the need to accord greater
protection to minors, as they are not yet fully mature, physically or
psychologically, to consent to such behaviour.
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MHA is therefore considering
providing tougher penalties to punish an adult who engages in sexual
activities, especially for penetrative offences, with a child or young person.
This will send a deterrent signal that adults should not engage in sexual
activities with children or young persons.
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Source: Ministry
of Home Affairs News Release 19 Oct 2004
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Review of laws governing sexual offences
