Enforcement Action against Website and Companies that Enable Online Procurement of Sexual and Pornographic Services

Dr Shahira Abdullah asked the Minister for Social and Family Development with regard to the Sugarbook website offering free membership to students (a) whether there is any data on how many Singapore students have subscribed to the website; (b) if so, how pervasive is the use of the website among Singapore youths; and (c) whether there is any update on the police taking enforcement action against such website companies that enable the procurement of sexual or pornographic services through their online platforms.

The Government takes a strong stance on the safety and protection of all Singaporeans. We have laws, such as the Women’s Charter and Penal Code, that protect our women from being exploited and abused.

During the Conversations on Singapore Women’s Development, protection of women against harms and violence was one of the main feedback areas and participants shared the importance of ensuring that Singapore continues to be a society where women feel safe and respected. We recognise that sexual offences have taken on new forms and can occur on online. We must keep up our efforts to maintain high standards of public safety in Singapore, foster a culture of respect and do our best to protect women and girls from harm.

Websites such as Sugarbook commoditise and devalue relationships. Those affected are predominantly women. This goes against the grain of our societal values and shared vision for men and women to partner each other as equals. Such websites may target young people in their late teens and early 20s, who may be more susceptible to exploitation and abuse. We do not track the profile and number of users who subscribe to the Sugarbook website.

These websites by themselves are not illegal. The Police will take enforcement action if there is evidence of such sites being used to offer or facilitate the provision of sexual services by a woman or girl to another person in Singapore in exchange for payment or reward. They will also take enforcement action if there is evidence of such sites being used to transmit obscene material. Thus far, there have been no evidence of such nature. Correspondingly, to date, no enforcement action has been taken against such websites for provision of sexual services or transmission of obscene materials.

A more effective solution is to increase the awareness of young people to such dangers, in line with our approach to foster a culture of safety and respect. MOE is already doing so through their refreshed Character and Citizenship curriculum, which inculcates and reinforces the importance of respect and appropriate behaviour, both offline and online. Families and parents also play a critical role to guide their children, and inculcate the right values of respect to women from young.

In July 2021, MCI launched the Sunlight Alliance for Action (AfA) to tackle online harms, especially those targeted at women and girls. The Sunlight AfA brings together partners from across the people, public and private (3P) sectors to co-create solutions to address online harms, close the digital safety gap and enable everyone, especially women and girls, to go online with confidence.

Fundamentally, we need to reinforce our values of equality and respect. A whole-of-society effort is required – the Government, society, communities and families – to foster respectful relationships between men and women, starting from young with our children and youths.