Sexual assault is not your fault
Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim, no matter what they were wearing, how they were behaving, how much they had to drink or their sexual history.
Please note that legally, various acts of sexual assault may be named and defined differently under the Singapore Penal Code. Our case managers, once assigned to your case, can give general guidance on these legal definitions and also refer you to our legal clinic for further support.
Sexual assault can include:
- Any penetration without consent (e.g. vaginal, oral or anal), using any part of the body (penis, fingers) or object.
- Any unwanted sexual touching, stroking, kissing, groping, etc.
- Unwanted sexual requests, messages or gestures, including electronically, in the workplace or elsewhere.
- Being made to view pornography against your will.
- Unwanted taking and/or sharing of nude or intimate photographs or videos, e.g. upskirting.
Victims of sexual assault may not always physically struggle due to shock, fear, or financial and/or emotional dependence on the attacker. Even if no extra force is used, or someone submits to an attack or a threat, there may not be consent. It is still sexual assault.
SACC will work with survivors of all genders who have experienced any form of sexual assault or harassment. Call (6779 0282) or email us at sacc@aware.org.sg.
We can also help if you have experienced sexual harassment, including at the workplace. The Protection from Harassment Act now makes stalking and sexual harassment, online or offline, an explicit offence, and gives victims more options for criminal and civil remedies. Go here for more information.
Some common questions
Is it possible to be raped by my husband?
Consent should always be sought for sex – including with a spouse. If your spouse has sex with you without your consent, that is sexual assault.
Some people think that you can’t say ‘no’ to sex with your spouse, but this isn’t true. You deserve to have your boundaries respected. As of 2020, husbands can be charged and convicted of raping their spouses. There is no longer any immunity for rape within marriage in Singapore. Click here for more information on marital rape.
Can a man be a victim of sexual assault?
Some people wrongly think that only women can be sexually assaulted. In fact, anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator of sexual assault, and the experience can be equally traumatic, regardless of gender. Singapore’s Penal Code recognises “rape” as penile penetration of a vagina, mouth or anus. There is also an offence of “sexual assault involving penetration” (s376, Penal Code), which covers cases where a man is forced to penetrate someone else without his consent. SACC provides all support services to anyone irrespective of gender, including casework, legal consultation and befriending. Based on needs assessment, for long-term counselling support, we may refer you to a partner organisation. Do contact us for more information.
Can children be victims of sexual assault?
Children can be a victim of rape, sexual harassment, assault by penetration and even cyber sexual harassment irrespective of gender. SACC has heard many cases of child sexual abuse and has worked mainly with adult survivors of child sexual abuse. Contrary to the common belief, such cases of child sexual abuse is most often committed by a person who is known to the child including a parent, step-parent, neighbour, grandparent, relative, etc.
It is important to note that children may not be able to articulate clearly about abuse or they may make partial or indirect statements about the abuse to observe an adult’s reaction before saying more. This is because they are likely to have been told by the perpetrator that bad things will happen if they speak out. If an adult fails to pick up on signals or responds negatively, the child is unlikely to disclose further.
One of the most common reactions of a child who has experienced sexual abuse is stress – younger children may exhibit this through regressive behaviour, sleep disturbances, refusal to be left alone, fear of the alleged offender or of a specific gender. Older children may suffer depression, eating disorders or they may run away or engage in self-destructive behaviour. If left unattended, these can also lead into long-term effects on the person.
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused as a child, please contact us.
Sexual assault in Singapore
In Singapore, 163 cases of rape were reported in 2013, including 66 cases of statutory rape involving females under 14. In 2009, 195 out of 202 reported rapes – 96.5% – were committed by culprits known to the victim.
Findings from our survey
A study conducted by volunteers at the We Can! campaign surveyed 500 respondents aged 17-25 on their experiences with sexual violence and attitudes toward consent. The survey found that:
- 35% of the respondents have experienced some form of sexual violence
- 87% of victims knew their perpetrator
- 6% of victims said they sought help, with the main barriers of seeking help including feelings of shame and self-blame.
Globally and in Singapore, sexual assault remains one of the most under-reported crimes. In 2009, the International Violence Against Women Survey (IVAWS) in Singapore found that more than 70% of the survivors of assault did not report the incident to the police, and only 7% contacted specialised agencies for assistance.
Research shows that often victims do not report incidents because they are concerned about how officials will treat them, lack confidence in legal justice and/or worry about further victimisation and stigmatisation.
What are the effects of sexual assault?
Rape and sexual assault can have different effects on different people. There may be physical injuries, such as cuts and bruises, or injuries to the genital area. If you are injured, please go to a clinic. You might also be at risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) or getting pregnant, so you should also visit the hospital for a check up as soon as possible.
You can also consider getting a forensic medical examination if you would like to preserve evidence.
There may be emotional effects as well. Though sexual assault is never, ever the victim’s fault, many who go through sexual assault feel ashamed, embarrassed or guilty. They may feel fearful of other people, or experience depression, anger, flashbacks or nightmares. They may also struggle with trust, sexual attraction or consensual sex later in life.
You don't have to go through this alone
No one has to go through this alone. Our counsellors work to support victims on the road to recovery, and our Befrienders can accompany you to the police, hospital or the courts.
Call (6779 0282) or email sacc@aware.org.sg to make an appointment.
