Debated in Parliament on 18 Sep 2023.
Mr Alex Yam Ziming asked the Minister for Education (a) in the past five years, what is the number of sexual offences committed against students in schools; (b) whether schools are mandated to make a Police report in cases where the perpetrator is a minor; (c) what are the penalties and support efforts implemented by schools to address such incidents and prevent the perpetrator from re-offending; and (d) how are schools collaborating with stakeholders to provide intervention and support for victims of sexual offences who are minors.
Between 2018 and 2022, the number of cases of sexual offences committed against mainstream school students on school premises remained low. Schools are obligated by law to make a Police report if they are aware that a sexual offence had been committed or that a person intends to commit a sexual offence, whether the perpetrator is a minor or not.
Through the Ministry of Education’s Sexuality Education curriculum, students are taught about personal safety, sexual abuse and harassment and the laws that protect them in Singapore. They also learn to look out for one another and seek help from trusted adults, such as their parents, teachers and school counsellors. Teachers are trained to look out for signs of distress in students.
Correctional measures are taken by schools for all student offenders, including reporting to Police and suspension from school. Schools also engage the family and provide counselling to the student to prevent the student offender from re-offending.
For victims of sexual offences, schools ensure that the victims receive timely counselling support. School counsellors are equipped with skills to assess the psycho-emotional state of the victims and provide the appropriate interventions or referrals required. Schools also work with parents and other relevant partners, such as Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health (REACH), to monitor and support the victims.
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