S'pore govt open to using chemical castration to tackle sex crimes if proven effective: Shanmugam
If proven effective.
Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam expressed openness to exploring chemical castration as a potential measure to combat sex crimes, provided its effectiveness is proven. The government is currently reviewing penalties for serious sexual offences against children and young persons after a rise in reported cases. Shanmugam emphasized the severity of punishments, such as mandatory imprisonment for rape of minors under 14 and outrage of modesty.
He also mentioned recent legislative changes, including the introduction of the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection (SEPP) regime for high-risk offenders. While the government remains open to additional deterrent measures, including chemical castration, it currently lacks conclusive evidence of its effectiveness. The police maintain a confidential record of convicted sex offenders, which is shared with relevant agencies for background checks on individuals working with children.
The government is also considering expanding the scope of background checks to more roles involving children and youth, and may introduce voluntary screening for unregulated sectors.
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