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Oral Answer to Parliamentary
Question for MHA during Parliament Sitting on recent reports in the Straits
Times on molestation and rape cases on 24 November 04 |
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Mdm Cynthia Phua: |
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"To ask the Minister for Home Affairs with regard
to recent reports in the Straits Times on molestation and rape case, |
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(a) how many of these cases were victims known to
the culprits?; |
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(b) what are the measures taken to reduce these
incidents?; and |
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(c) are there any public education programmes in
the schools, as many victims were very young teenage girls." |
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Answer: |
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Madam Cynthia Phua asked for the number of rape
and molestation cases where the perpetrators were known to their victims. |
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For the period 2000 to June 2004, the perpetrator
was known to or acquainted with the victim in 9 out of 10 reported cases of
rape. |
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For the same period, 3 out of 10 reported cases of
outrage of modesty were committed by persons known to the victims. |
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To deter would-be perpetrators, the Police conduct
patrols at entertainment nightspots and their vicinity to maintain a visible
presence. The Police works closely with residents, grassroots organisations
and other agencies to enhance the safety in the neighbourhoods. |
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These initiatives, under the Community Safety and
Security Programme or CSSP framework, include fixing additional lighting to
brighten public places at night, setting up neighbourhood watch groups,
organising joint patrols and house visits involving Police and residents and
holding talks and exhibitions. |
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The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Police
have been educating students that they too have a part to play in preventing
molest and rape. |
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Schools conduct public education programmes to
educate our young on personal safety and prevention of sexual abuse. These are
comprehensively covered in subjects such as Civics and Moral Education, Social
Studies, and Health Education. |
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Police complements MOE's efforts by conducting
school assembly talks to educate students on what they can do to prevent
themselves from falling victim to rape and molest. So far, 99 such talks have
been conducted this year. |
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Let me assure the House that we view every case
seriously. Whilst Police will continue to maintain its presence to deter
potential perpetrators and take the necessary enforcement actions, members of
the public can also help by taking an active role in ensuring their own
personal safety as well as of those around them. |
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Source:
Ministry of Home Affairs Press Release 24
Nov 2004 |
Recent rape and molestation cases in Singapore
