Almost 40 per cent of molestation cases which occurred in homes involved victims under 16: MHA

The Ministry of Home Affairs reported that 38 percent of the 227 home molestation cases in Singapore's first half of the year involved victims under 16, according to a statement made by Minister of State for Home Affairs Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim in Parliament on September 9. Responding to a query from Aljunied GRC's Sylvia Lim, Zhulkarnain highlighted the police's efforts to raise awareness and encourage reporting of such crimes.

These measures include collaboration with the Ministry of Education and schools to educate students about sexual crimes and to promote reporting to trusted adults. The total number of molestation cases in the first half of 2026 was 762, an increase from 739 in the same period of 2025. Most of these cases occurred in residential settings, followed by public transport and public entertainment venues.

Prostitution was identified as a major crime concern, along with shop theft and burglary. Lim also inquired about initiatives to uncover unreported molestation crimes and reasons behind this lack of reporting. In response, Zhulkarnain affirmed that unreported sexual crimes in homes are indeed a concern, and outlined measures to enhance awareness and facilitate reporting.

Victims can indicate their decision to report at police stations through queue management kiosks, where they will receive priority and receive a private interview space. The OneSafe Forensic Examination Centres at KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and the National University Hospital allow victims to undergo both a police interview and forensic examination in a single location.

Younger victims are offered multidisciplinary interviews by the Ministry of Social and Family Development and KKH, ensuring a smooth reporting process under the supervision of a safe adult. The police also collaborate with community partners to provide ongoing counseling and emotional support to victims.