Singapore rape hub : Rise in number of statutory rape cases in 2009

[Watchman]

Rise in number of statutory rape cases in 2009
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 February 2010 1412 hrs

SINGAPORE: Police are concerned about the rise in the number of statutory rape cases.

In its annual crime brief, Police said there were 83 statutory rape cases involving females under 14 years of age last year. This was a 36 per cent increase from the 61 cases in 2008.

Police said 95 per cent of the offenders were people the victims knew. The youngest victim was 12 years old.

Police said the widespread use of social-networking websites among youths may be one reason why the cases have increased. Such websites may expose youths to situations thIn its annual crime brief, Police said there were 83 statutory rape cases involving females under 14 years of age last year. This was a 36 per cent increase from the 61 cases in 2008.

Police said 95 per cent of the offenders were people the victims knew. The youngest victim was 12 years old.

Police said the widespread use of social-networking websites among youths may be one reason why the cases have increased. Such websites may expose youths to situations that lead to statutory rape.

Police highlighted two other areas of concern. One is the rise in petty thefts to 20,400 cases, up 2.4 per cent. And the other is the increase in break-ins at HDB flats, and education and care centres.

However, Police said the overall crime situation in Singapore remained under control. The number of crime cases dipped about half a per cent to 32,968 cases.

There were significant reductions in violent property crimes such as robberies, and miscellaneous crimes such as disorderly behaviour and trespass.at lead to statutory rape.

Police highlighted two other areas of concern. One is the rise in petty thefts to 20,400 cases, up 2.4 per cent. And the other is the increase in break-ins at HDB flats, and education and care centres.

However, Police said the overall crime situation in Singapore remained under control. The number of crime cases dipped about half a per cent to 32,968 cases.

There were significant reductions in violent property crimes such as robberies, and miscellaneous crimes such as disorderly behaviour and trespass.

 

[Watchman]

Sex with minors up 36%
8 Feb, 2010

STATUTORY rape cases involving girls under 14 years went up by 36 per cent last year - from 61 cases in 2008 to 83, said police on Monday.

A majority of these minors had consensual sex with boyfriends, friends and acquaintances.

To address this growing trend, police will step up training sessions, workshops, programmes and crime awareness talks that are already in place, as well as embark on several intervention initiatives.

For example, police extended its talks to social services networks last year to widen its reach and create a greater awareness on the legal and social consequences of teenage sex, to dissuade the young from such acts.

Police urge the community, schools, parents, and media to play a role in educating youth against under-aged sex.

Families, in particular, are advised to pay more attention to the activities of their teenage children as most of the perpetrators in such cases are known to the victims.