Rape and molestation cases involving offenders known to victims and measures to address sexual offending

Question:

Ms Gho Sze Kee: To ask the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs given that more than half of rape and molestation cases involve offenders known to victims (a) whether the increase in such crimes in 2025 was primarily driven by this category of offenders; (b) what are the contextual breakdown of the cases such as, in domestic, workplace, or educational settings; and (c) whether targeted interventions are being strengthened in these environments.

Answer:

Mr Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development:

1. From 2024 to 2025, there was an increase of 104 cases of outrage of modesty (OM) (from 1,427 to 1,531 cases) and an increase of 78 cases of rape (from 401 to 479 cases). The majority of the rape cases and more than half of the OM cases involved offenders known to the victims. The proportions of rape and OM cases involving offenders known to the victims has remained stable over the last 5 years.

2. In 2025, of the total number of rape and OM cases, approximately 33% took place in residential premises, 18% took place in commercial premises, and 3% took place in educational institutions.

3. The Government takes a firm stance against all forms of sexual offending, and Ministries have implemented a suite of measures to prevent offending, encourage reporting and improve victim support, regardless of where the offence occurs.

4. For example, in educational settings, students are taught to report their concerns and to seek help from trusted adults. In domestic settings, specialist agencies such as the Protection Specialist Centres and Child Protection Specialist Centres provide social and emotional support for victims of intra- and extra-familial violence, including sexual violence. The Police on their part also provide victim care services when investigating sexual offences.