Prevention of Human Trafficking Act to Take Effect from 1 March 2015

1. The Prevention of Human Trafficking Act ("PHTA") was passed in Parliament on 3 November 2014 and will take effect from 1 March 2015.

2. The PHTA – which was developed by Member of Parliament Mr Christopher de Souza with the support of the Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking-In-Persons ("TIP") – serves to deter TIP and supports the rehabilitation of trafficked victims, especially vulnerable individuals.

3. The law defines the offence of TIP and sets out acts which constitute abetment of the TIP offence. It is also an offence for a person to knowingly receive payment in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim. Severe penalties are prescribed to take these offenders firmly to task. Law enforcement officers from the Singapore Police Force, Ministry of Manpower, and Ministry of Health are provided specific powers to investigate TIP-related offences under the PHTA.

4. Besides enforcement, the PHTA also provides measures for the welfare of trafficked victims and to encourage the reporting of trafficking or suspected trafficking activity.

Issued by:

Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking-in-Persons