Jail, caning for man who raped 2 teen girls, sexually assaulted third female minor

In 2023, a youth, around 17 years old, allegedly raped two teenage girls. The first victim was 13 years old and the second was 14 years old. The police became aware of the incidents after receiving reports from the victims' relatives. The offender had conversations with the victims on social media platforms and subsequently raped them in separate instances.

Despite being alerted by the police each time, he was not arrested until he turned 18 in 2024. His third offense involved raping a 14-year-old girl in June of that year.

The offender, now 20, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexually penetrating a minor. He was sentenced to nine years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane on September 14. The identities and details of the victims are under a gag order.

According to prosecutors, the first victim met the offender on TikTok and they had consensual unprotected sex at his home. She reported him to the police after realizing he had not used protection. The second victim was introduced to the offender through a social gathering and later had unprotected sexual intercourse with him at a staircase landing. She also reported him to the police.

The third victim, a close friend of the second victim, first communicated with the offender on Instagram. They met at a staircase landing in June 2024, where he again had sexual intercourse with her. She reported him to the police shortly after.

The number of rape cases has significantly increased, with a total of 479 reported in 2025, compared to 401 in the previous year. Additionally, the number of sexual assault cases involving minors has also risen. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been strengthening laws to protect victims, including those pertaining to molestation, voyeurism, and sexual offenses.