A call for the Parliament of Singapore to review the maximum and minimum sentences for Outrage of Modesty crimes in the penal code, and to introduce stiffer punishments for offenders.  

The Problem

There is an uptrend of Outrage of Modesty (OM) cases in Singapore. 

According to the Singapore Police Force, Outrage of Modesty cases: i) increased by 9.5% in the first half of 2017, ii) increased by 21.5% in the first half of 2018, and iii) increased by 5% to 837 cases in the first half of 2019. Statistically, that's nearly 4.5 OM cases reported every day. 

Time for the Government to "move"  

The motivations that drive sex offenders are clear. It is a deliberate and flagrant act of violence that must not be simply moderated by the offender's educational background, amongst other conditions. It is a premeditated act to demean, belittle and cause harm to its victims.

Institutions and the judiciary must endeavour to protect and redress its victims. Instead, what has happened most obviously in the recent NUS student molester case and NUS peeping tom case, have seen victims compelled to speak against disproportionate punishments meted to offenders. The incredulity of such recurring harm that victims are made to suffer must be considered for. 

Each of these cases has spurred individual petitions for stiffer punishments for the offenders. But what is obvious too is the need for a larger structural solution to the problem (of sexual assault and harassment tantamount to outrage of modesty). 

We appeal to the Singapore Government to table a discussion on the legislation before the Parliament, to review the maximum and minimum sentences for Outrage of Modesty crimes in the penal code, and to introduce stiffer punishments for offenders, both in purpose to protect (potential) victims, as well as to deliver a marked and collective commitment to deterring would-be offenders. 

(Note: This petition is not soliciting for money. Please do not donate any money when prompted by Change.org) 

References and further reading: 

1. https://www.police.gov.sg/news-and-publications/statistics?page=1

2. https://www.straitstimes.com/tags/outrage-of-modestyinsulting-modesty

3. Surrounding the debates and discussions on OM cases, Mothership.SG consolidated OM cases in NUS between 2015 and 2018, and the punishments meted out: https://mothership.sg/2019/04/nus-outrage-of-modesty-cases/