Statutory rape cases up 36% in 2009
By Dylan Loh/Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 08 February 2010 1412 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Police are concerned about the rise in the number of statutory rape cases in Singapore.

In their annual crime briefing on Monday, the police said statutory rape cases involving female minors under 14 years who had consensual sex rose 36.1 per cent from 61 in 2008 to 83 cases in 2009.

Eighty-eight per cent of the offenders were people the victims knew: boyfriends, friends and acquaintances.

Police said the widespread use of social-networking websites among youths may be one reason for the upswing. Such websites may expose youths to situations that lead to statutory rape.

The police expect the upward trend to continue due to changing values among youths and their exposure to Internet influences.

"This is where it is important for the parents to know, and move in or work with us to guide their children, educate their children on certain behaviours and social norms," the police said.

They also highlighted two other areas of concern. One is the rise in petty thefts to 20,400 cases - up 2.4 per cent from 2008 - and the other is the increase in break-ins at HDB flats, and education and care centres.

Bicycle thefts, meanwhile, saw an increase of some 400 cases to over 1,000 last year. In addition, 145 elderly victims fell prey to cheating-related offences like scams, 11 more than 2008.

On the topic of cheats, will the opening of casinos in Singapore's integrated resorts have an impact on gambling-related offences?

"What are the crime trends that can be attributed to the IRs, we really don't know at this time, but we are really watching it very closely," said the police.

However, they said the overall crime situation in Singapore remained under control in 2009. The number of crime cases dipped 0.4 per cent from 2008 to 32,968.

There were significant reductions in crimes against persons - such as murder - which fell from 4,393 cases in 2008 to 4,370 in 2009, as well as violent property crimes - such as robberies - which dropped by about 22 per cent to 749 cases in 2009, from 962 in 2008.


- CNA/sc/ir