Aware calls for stiffer laws on child sex abuse

Singapore

Aware calls for stiffer laws on child sex abuse

Theresa Tan

9 September 2006, Straits Times

Group suggests definition of sex exploitation be widened, offenders' registry be set up

SINGAPORE has been urged to enact tough new laws to clamp down on paedophiles who travel abroad to have sex with children.

Even the intent to sexually exploit children overseas should be a punishable offence, says the women's advocacy group, Aware.

And those who aid and abet individuals to have sex with minors overseas - such as travel agents who organise child sex tours - should also be punished.

Aware argued that the definition of sexual exploitation of children should be broadened to include other acts of indecency besides sex.

It also suggests that a registry of sex offenders be set up to track and help these sex offenders to reduce the risk of them preying on children again, said an Aware report released yesterday.

The report - which examined laws to curb the scourge of child sex tourism - comes five months after the Government announced that Singaporeans travelling abroad for sex with children may face prosecution when they return home.

While hailing the Government's move to implement such extra-territorial laws, the report also pointed out the difficulties of enforcing these laws and suggested ways to overcome the hurdles.

For example, getting the young victim of sexual abuse to testify may be difficult. There is also the difficulty of verifying a child's age in some countries where passports or other official documents are lacking.

Ms Azmeen Moiz, one of the report's authors, added: 'You are dealing with corruption and poverty here.'

She pointed out that in previous cases, some victims had changed their testimony after they were bribed. But the 'ultimate problem' is the fact that few victims report the abuse.

Still, for the extra-territorial laws to be effective, Singapore has to tie up with foreign intelligence and enforcement agencies.

The report cited how international cooperation led to the arrest of Singaporean polytechnic lecturer Darwis Rianto Lim, who allegedly tried to buy sex from teenage boys in Bangkok, last year.

Lim was nabbed after American officers started monitoring his Internet postings seeking sex with teenage boys. The Americans tipped off the Thai police, who arrested the man. Lim, however, jumped bail and is now on the run.

While Ms Azmeen conceded that monitoring the activities of potential abusers is tough, she pointed out that much depends on political will.

She said: 'Without the political will to curb the problem, the new law will be just another piece of legislation.'