Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is an act of sexual activity that violates one’s bodily integrity and which the victim does not consent to. This often involves physical contact between the victim and perpetrator but does not necessarily entail penetration and may be committed by means other than force or violence.

Some examples include:

  • Attempted or actual rape (includes any form of penetration of the body)
  • Molestation/outrage of modesty – Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning, pinching or rubbing of any part of the victim’s body
  • Sexual grooming of minors i.e. gaining a child or young person’s trust in order to sexually exploit or abuse them
What can I do if I’m experiencing sexual assault?

If you are experiencing any form of sexual assault, you should seek help immediately. Here is what you can do:

  • Know that you are not to be blamed for the assault.
  • If you know the perpetrator, distance yourself from them and stop all forms of contact.
  • Contact the police as soon as possible. Click ​here​ for more information on the processes
    that may take place after a sexual assault case is report to the police.
  • Seek medical help at these specialised hospitals , or the AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) which also provides befriender services to accompany you to the police, court or hospital.
  • Tell someone you trust about the incident
  • Seek legal help.
What should I do if I witness an act of sexual assault?

Without compromising your own safety, you can

  • Approach victim to provide support
  • Distract harasser or seek help from others
  • Call out undesirable behaviour
  • Alert and seek help from management or security personnel
How can friends and family support the victim?
How can I seek legal help?

Legislation for sexual assault offenses:

Penal Code

Section 375 defines rape as

(i) non-consensual vaginal, oral, or anal penetration of a person with the offender’s penis; or

(ii) vaginal, oral or anal penetration of a person with the offender’s penis, where the person is under 14 years of age. Offenders are liable for imprisonment, fine or caning.

Section 376 defines sexual assault involving penetration as:

(i) non-consensual penetration (i.e. vaginal, anal or oral); or

(ii) penetration (i.e. vaginal, anal or oral), where the person is under 14 years of age. Offenders are liable for imprisonment, fine or caning.

Section 376A defines sexual penetration of a minor as penetration of a minor under 16 years of age (e.g. vaginal, anal or oral). Offenders are liable for imprisonment, fine or caning.

——

Section 376B to section 376EE sets out offences relating to:

(i) commercial sex with a minor under 18 years of age;

(ii) sexual grooming, sexual communication, engaging in sexual activity in front of a minor, showing a sexual image to a minor under 16 years of age; and

(iii) the same acts in (ii) when committed against a person of or above 16 but under 18 years of age in the context of an exploitative relationship.

Offenders are liable for imprisonment, fine or both.

——

Section 376F defines procuring any sexual activity with a person with mental disability as an offence. Offenders are liable to imprisonment, or fine, or caning, or any combination of such punishments.

Section 376G considers incest an offence. Offenders are liable for imprisonment.

——

Section 354 defines assault or use of criminal force with intent to outrage modesty as an offence. Offenders are liable for imprisonment, or fine, or caning, or any combination of such punishments.

Section 511 considers attempts to do any of the above as offences​
Singapore Statistics

International Violence Against Women Survey 2009

  • 77.5% of those involved in non-partner victimisation and 71.7% of those involved in partner victimisation did not report to the police
  • 58.8% of victims experienced repeated victimisation
  • Only 7% of those who experienced violence contacted specialised agencies for assistance

From 2012-2016, the outrage of modesty cases victims were majority females – it was on average about 94% (MSF).

In 2019, 99% of those arrested for outrage of modesty cases are males (Data.gov.sg, 2020). The total number of males arrested are 1,066 out of 1,077 cases in 2019.

Rape

Rape is a sexual assault offence, defined by under section 375 of the Penal Code as non-consensual penile penetration (e.g. vagina, anus, mouth) or penile penetration (e.g. vagina, anus, mouth) of a person under 14 years of age.

Consent is to give permission for something to happen or an agreement to do something. It can be withdrawn at any point during the activity.

Under section 90 of the Penal Code it is not consent if:

(i) the person is coerced (i.e. the person is under fear of injury or wrongful restraint to the person or another person);

(ii) it is given under misconception of fact; or

(iii) the person is not able to understand the nature or consequences of the act (i.e. due to intoxication, unsoundness of mind, mental incapacity, is under the influence of any drug or substance).

Consent to an activity in the past does not automatically mean consent to the same activity in the future. Even if one is aroused during sexual activity, that does not equate to consent.

Signs you may have been raped:

  • Not knowing why your clothes are on wrong, torn or have unusual stains.
  • If you wake up without clothes and don’t remember taking them off.
  • You have no recollection of engaging in any sexual activity, but physically feel otherwise.
  • You have unexpected bruises, bleeding, pain, scrapes or cuts, especially after waking up after a party, date or social event.
  • Date rape is a subset of rape which occurs between the victim and someone they know (intimate partners, friends, acquaintances). As with all other forms of rape, the victim does not consent to it.

Drugs and alcohol are often used in date rape by the assailant to make it easier for them to assault the victims. Since intoxicated victims do not know what is happening, they are unable to give consent to sexual activities, qualifying as rape. Such drugs include:

  • Hard drugs such as marijuana and cocaine
  • Prescription/over-the-counter drugs like antidepressants, tranquilizers, or sleeping aids
  • Specific date rape drugs/club drugs
Component Also known as (but not limited to)
Rohypnol / flunitrazepam Circles, Forget Pill, Mexican Valium, Mind Erasers, Roofies, Trip-and-Fall and Whiteys
Gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) Easy Lay, Energy Drink, G-Juice, Liquid Ecstasy and Liquid X
Ketamine Black Hole, Kit Kat, Psychedelic Heroin, Purple, Special K, Super Acid

Effects from drugs or alcohol include:

  • Dizziness, sleepiness, confusion or even passing out
  • Having problems talking or slurred speech
  • Having trouble breathing, moving or controlling muscles
  • Feeling nauseous or vomiting
  • Having very slow or fast heartbeat
What can I do to protect myself?

Here are some safety tips you can follow to better protect yourself:

If you are meeting someone for the first time,

  • Arrange to meet in a public place. Let a family member or friend know where you will be, and when you will be home.
  • If someone makes you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, trust your gut and avoid being alone with them. Do not hesitate to ask or scream for help if you are in danger.
  • Always be firm and clear about setting boundaries for yourself. Do not do anything you do not feel ready for, you have the right to withhold your consent.

If you are at a party and drinking,

  • Stick with a group of friends. Look out for each other and ensure that everyone gets home safe. Have a buddy system if you are drinking.
  • Don’t accept drinks from others as drinks can be spiked. Open your drink yourself and keep control of it at all times. Understand your alcohol tolerance and don’t drink more than you can handle.
  • Don’t drink anything that smells or tastes strange. Although most date rape drugs are tasteless and odourless, some may taste salty or bitter.
  • If you feel unusually drunk, or that the effects of alcohol are stronger than usual, stop drinking and get help immediately. If you notice that one of your friends may be experiencing such effects, get them to a safe place immediately and call for help.
What can I do if I have been raped?

Here are some safety tips you can follow to better protect yourself:

If you think that you are experiencing a similar scenario,

  • Know that you are not to be blamed for the assault! Rape ultimately happens because of a choice made by the rapist, not the victim.
  • Safety first
    – Stop all forms of contact with the perpetrator.
    – Contact the police.
    – If there is any injury go to the nearest GP or hospital.
  • Preserve evidence
    – Report the incident to the Police as soon as possible, so that any evidence of the assault can be preserved
    – Tell someone you trust ​about the incident (for witness or evidence gathering)
  • Medical support
    – Click here for a list of immediate contacts.
    – Police may refer you to medical professionals for forensic medical examination, if required. If you are below 21 years old, your parent’s/guardian’s consent is required.
  • Support
    – Call someone you trust or go to a family member’s or close friend’s house.
    – If you feel emotionally unsafe (i.e. have thoughts of harming yourself or someone else) call a professional counsellor or a helpline
    (Samaritans of Singapore 1800 221 444).
    – Contact the AWARE’s Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) at 6799 0282 or email sacc@aware.org.sg for advice or counselling. They also provide befriender services to accompany you to the police, court or hospital.
  • See legal help.
How can friends and family support the victim?
How can I seek legal help?

Here are some safety tips you can follow to better protect yourself:

Legislation for sexual assault offenses:

Penal Code Section
375/376/376A

Section 375 defines rape as

(i) non-consensual vaginal, oral, or anal penetration of a person with the offender’s penis; or

(ii) vaginal, oral or anal penetration of a person with the offender’s penis, where the person is under 14 years of age. Offenders are liable for imprisonment, and fine or caning

Section 511 considers attempts to do any of the above as offences.

Victims who desire to take legal action can choose between self-representation or getting a lawyer to help with legal proceedings.

  • Criminal sanctions: Making a police report
  • Civil remedies:

Obtaining a protection order under the Women’s Charter for protection against family violence, click here.
Protection order under the Protection from Harassment Act for protection against harassment, click here.

For legal advice, you can approach any of the below (this does not mean getting a lawyer to represent you, unless requested):

Singapore Statistics

According to The Straits Times (2020),the number of reported rape cases in Singapore jumped 75% in the past five years – 282 cases of rape were reported to the police in 2019, up from 162 in 2015.

According to the International Violence Against Women Survey 2010,

  • 70% did not report the assault to the police ​77.5% of those involved in non-partner victimisation and 71.7% of those involved in partner victimisation did not report to the police
  • 58.8% of victims experienced repeated victimisation
  • Only 7% of those who experienced violence contacted specialised agencies for assistance

Sexual Grooming

Sexual grooming is a process when a groomer tries to gain the minor’s confidence and trust with the intention to sexually abuse or exploit the minor (under 16 years old or of or above 16 but under 18 years old in the context of an exploitative relationship). This can happen in real life or virtually.

How to identify a potential groomer?

They employ a wide range of tactics to gain the trust of the child, often adapting to the child’s interests, responses and any other information available about him or her.

Some signs include:

  • Gaining trust and building rapport through: flattery, sharing their ‘dark secrets’, pointing out commonalities, showing sympathy or ‘empathy’, giving gifts or money, declaring emotions for the child, making promises
  • Asking questions about the child’s personal information such as address, schedule, where they go to school or hang out at, questions related to family or friends
  • Being persistent or domineering, often pressuring the child to reply through guilt-tripping
  • Asking to meet up exclusively (one-to-one) without telling anyone, or at remote places 
What should I do if I think I’m being groomed?
  • Test red flags by sharing the groomer’s responses with your friends and family
  • Do NOT blame yourself
  • Note down groomer’s identity/username and screenshot profile and conversations
  • Stop all communication. If online, report the user on the communication platform and block the user. You may even change your online profile to make it harder for the groomer to find you.
  • Who you can tell:
    - A trusted adult
    - Services which give advice and counselling:
         - TOUCH Cyber Wellness (1800 377 2252)
         - Fei Yue Community Services (6422 1599)
         - eC2.sg (free anonymous online counselling)
         - help123.sg
  • Make a police report with a trusted adult. You can do so online , go to the nearest neighbourhood police centre or post, or by calling the police hotline ‘999’.
How can family and friends support the victim?
  • Do NOT blame or accuse the child.
  • If they open up to you, tell them they did the right thing by opening up and assure them it’s not their fault.
  • Be patient with them and sensitive to their mental well-being.
  • Let them decide the next course of action. Do NOT impose your opinion on them.

A note for parents: You may be tempted to confiscate devices, stop all online activity or monitor the child’s activity. First, understand that social media and technology are becoming an integral part of the child’s social life. Then, sit down with your child to patiently discuss possible boundaries and reasonable safety restrictions to prevent such incidents from happening again. If you need advice for how to go about doing this, contact TOUCH Cyber Wellness (1800 377 2252). More information can be found here.

How can I seek legal help?

The following are laws related to sexual grooming and activity regarding minors.

Penal Code

Section 376E to 376EE sets out offences relating to:

(i) sexual grooming, sexual communication, engaging in sexual activity in front of a minor, showing a sexual image to a minor under 16 years of age; and

(ii) the same acts in (i) when committed against a person of or above 16 but under 18 years of age in the context of an exploitative relationship.

Offenders are liable for imprisonment, fine or both.
Children and Young Persons Act Section 7 criminalises the sexual exploitation of a child or young persons (defined as a person under 18 years of age). The offender is liable for imprisonment or fine or both.

Making a Police report will allow Police to assess if an offence has taken place, and if so, initiate criminal investigations. If taking civil action against the groomer is desired, any Court applications must be made by a parent or legal guardian as victims are below 21 years old.

Singapore Statistics

According to the DQ Impact Report 2018,

  • 54% of children, between the ages of 8-12 are exposed to at least one cyber-risk (cyberbullying, video game addiction, offline meetings, online sexual behaviour).
  • 16% of this group have been exposed to online sexual behaviours such as visiting websites with sexual content or having sexual conversations online with strangers.
  • 12% of respondents have chatted with or met online strangers in real life.

According to the Microsoft Digital Civility Study 2019,

  • 2/3 (68%) of youths(aged 13-17) had received unwanted sexual content online
  • 45% encountered unwanted contact from an online stranger (both are above the global average)