Adequacy of Guidelines for Outrage of Modesty Against Children

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) whether the existing sentencing guidelines for outrage of modesty against children are adequate; (b) when was the last review of sentencing guidelines for such offences; and (c) when will the next review be conducted.

The Penal Code provides for enhanced punishments for outrage of modesty committed against children. Outrage of modesty against a child below 14 years of age can be punished with imprisonment of up to five years, a fine, caning, or a combination of these penalties. This is higher than the punishment if committed against an adult, which is imprisonment of up to three years, a fine, caning, or a combination of these penalties. This enhanced punishment was introduced in 2007.

If the child was hurt or restrained during the commission of the offence, the maximum imprisonment term is 10 years; and in addition, there will be a mandatory minimum imprisonment term of three years and mandatory caning as well. This enhanced punishment was introduced in 1984.

Our assessment is that these punishments are adequate for now.