This week, authorities in Singapore announced that they would be bringing charges against six men. These charges result from their purported roles in various instances of child sexual exploitation. The Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), a state-based investigative agency, initiated a purely targeted operation against child victimization. At least 22 of their apprehensions were suspects between 22 and 41 years of age.
The first of these, a 37-year-old man, was arrested March 25, 2024. He was accused of befriending young female victim’s online, then coaxing them into sexual acts. Regardless, these serious charges cast a long shadow. These felonies include one count of commercial sex with a minor under 18, and one count of communicating with a minor to obtain sexual services, as well as multiple counts of possessing child abuse materials and obscene films. In all, he is charged with a total of eight counts of sexual penetration of a minor under 16.
On March 14, 2023, this 30-year-old man was arrested for allegedly having child sexual abuse material. On March 22, 2023, police arrested a 41-year-old for similar crimes. Just one year later, on March 18, 2024, they arrested a 35-year-old man for much the same reason. Each has been charged in separate indictments with one count of possession of child abuse material.
Just 10 days later, on March 5, 2024, authorities announced the arrest of another suspect. They placed the 22-year-old man under arrest for felony possession of child abuse and obscene material. Lastly, a 25-year-old man was arrested on July 5, 2024, under allegations of engaging a young female victim for commercial sex.
The legal consequences for anyone convicted of owning obscene movies are devastating. Offenders can be put in jail for up to six months, fined up to S$20,000 or both.
After each of these occurrences, authorities have promised to do everything in their power to protect our children from predators.
“The police take a serious view of child sexual exploitation and abuse and will spare no effort to protect children from such harm.” – The Straits Times/ANN
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