Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Measures to Detect Abuse and Trafficking Among Arrested Vice Workers

Question:

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang: To ask the Minister for Home Affairs when vice workers are arrested (a) what processes do the Police have in place to systematically detect indicators of potential (i) physical, sexual and financial abuse and (ii) trafficking; and (b) if there are no such processes in place, whether the Police will consider implementing such processes.

Answer:

Mr K Shanmugam, Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law:

1. As part of its enforcement operations against vice activities, the Police conduct interviews with every commercial sex worker to establish the circumstances of each case. Officers who conduct such interviews are trained to recognise indicators of abuse, exploitation and trafficking. If there are prima facie criminal offences made out, investigations will be conducted.