SINGAPORE : Parliament has been told that soliciting for sex
with minors is a crime which will be treated seriously by the
police.
And whether it is on the Internet or via organising overseas sex
tours, those involved will be severely dealt with.
Even if the offence is done overseas - if preparations are done
here - it is regarded as abetting a crime.
Between 1994 and April this year, there were three cases of
Singaporeans arrested overseas for sexual offences with children
aged below 16.
While it has been reported that Singaporeans form a large number of
sex tourists in the region, the police have not come across any
cases of sex tours being organised here.
Ms Eunice Olsen, Nominated MP, said Singapore was well-placed to do
something about the problem.
She asked if enacting a law would help show that Singapore will not
condon such act and that it did not want its citizens to go
overseas to do things like this.
Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Senior Minister of State for Home
Affairs, said: "There are countries overseas that have implemented
laws with extra-territorial application.
"While we can have these laws in place, it is very difficult to
implement them. Principally there will be legal and very serious
practical problems of gathering evidence and putting up a strong
case in court...we do no want to have laws that are difficult to
enforce."
But Singapore is studying the situation and if needed later on, the
laws will be amended.
Professor Ho made clear that Singapore laws treat the crime of
having sex with minors very seriously.
And that's the case with Internet-related sex offences. Eight cases
involving those below 16 were reported last last year.
But these were cases where the offenders had sex with the
children.
Dr Amy Khor, Mayor of South West District, said: "Were there any
case that were prosecuted because of solicitation on the Internet,
the deed is not performed but there was clear evidence of
solicitation?
"I would also like to ask the Minister if the industry is required
to undertake surveillance of the website to block or shut down the
websites where there is solicitation of sex for minors."
Dr Lee Boon Yang, Minister for Information, Communications and The
Arts, said: "I am not aware of any prosecution of procurement
online.
"Conceivably, one could mount a sting operation to ensure that
those who use such forum whether it's chatline or chat rooms to
ensure that those who do so, may well face the full force of the
law."
But the point which was made clear - protecting children against
sex predators whether in Singapore or overseas should not just be
the goverment's responsility.
Parents, schools and the community have a role to play to condemn
such activities and instill the right values in the young. -
CNA/de