Reviewing Laws on Sex with Minors: Singapore Case Study Analysis

This essay examines the crucial factors to consider when reviewing laws concerning sex with minors, particularly in the context of Singapore. The introduction highlights that sex with minors is a crime globally, with increased offenses due to technological advancements. The review focuses on judicial precedents, current laws, and the influence of public opinion. The essay analyzes Singapore's laws, which prohibit sex with those under 16 and consider sex with those under 14 as rape. It explores the impact of public pressure on the legal system, referencing a case involving a martial arts instructor. The essay emphasizes the importance of considering judicial precedents, the different classes of offenses (e.g., violent, gang rape), and public views to ensure laws are fair and just. The conclusion reiterates the key considerations for reviewing laws, including judicial precedents, offense classifications, and public opinion, highlighting the need for a balanced approach.

Running head: REVEWING LAW ON SEX WITH MINORS 1
Reviewing Law on Sex with Minors
Institution’s Name
Date

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Introduction
Sex with minors is a crime in almost all countries of the world. Additionally, sharing
pornographic photos of children or sexting is also a crime. In recent times, and with the
advancement in technology, more importantly, social media, there are increased cases of such
offenses (Wittes, Poplin, Jurecic, & Spera, 2016). Also, the judgment passed on the convict appears
to be lenient to the eyes of the public. Thus, it is important to look at factors that one must put
into considerations in reviewing the existing laws. Broadly, the factors appear to involve judicial
precedents, studying the current law and making the necessary improvement in a way that the
law remains fair but not influenced by the public pressure.
Review of the Law
Firstly, Singapore as a state forbids sex with children under the age of 16 years. The act is
a crime, and in recent times, the public is at the forefront in pressurizing the government to
legislate tougher laws than the existing ones. Specifically, sex under the age of 16 is illegal.
Additionally, making love with minors under the age of 14 years is rape even if the child gives
consent. The law argues that children below that age are not capable of consent for sex.
Moreover, the law forbids sharing of pornographic materials that involves minors, in any
platform, especially, on social media (MOHAN, 2016)). These laws appear to sit not so well with
the public, and they have a call for their repeal or rather an improvement to make them tougher.
Thus, what are factors that one ought to consider in reviewing the laws?
One of the most common ways of determining whether the law or judgment is just and
fair is by looking at judicial precedents. These are previous convictions to cases that appear
similar (Radics, 2013)). In a recent case that involves a martial art instructor, Joshua Robinson,

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who serves a four-year sentence for having sex with two 15 years old children appears lenient to
the public. Additionally, the instructor is in prison for sharing pornographic photos that involve
minors. Even though the public sees the punishment as not fair, considering the magnitude of the
crime, judicial precedents are actually in line with the verdict (Chua, Chu, Yim, Chong, & Teoh,
2014). The office of the attorney general argues in responding to the public outcry, states that the
judgment is fair and in line with the existing law. The public is of the opinion that the instructor
ought to have been given tougher punishment which includes canning, thus, putting pressure on
the judicial system to review the law.
Another factor that needs to be put into consideration, as far as reviewing the law is
concerned is the different classes that exist about sex with minors. In carrying out the offense,
various incidents call for non-uniformity in the passing of judgment. Firstly, there is sex with
minors that involve violence. Another one is that which include gang rape and also one that
inflicts pain or injures the victim (Terry, 2012). In addition to that, there may be a situation
where the person charged with a responsibility of protecting the child is the one committing such
an offense. Therefore, in reviewing the law on sex with the kids, the various classes need to be a
factor to be considered in an attempt to make laws that are just and fair to both parties.
Lastly, as laws serve the public, it is important to include the public in reviewing the laws
on sex with minors as they form part of those directly affected by the very laws in practice. In
addition to that, Singapore minister of justice also believes that it is pivotal in including the
public in reviewing laws on sex with children (Vendius, 2015). However, this is not to say that
the public need to influence the judicially in coming up with laws on sex with minors yet they
are not legal experts in any way.

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Conclusion
Thus, there are several factors necessary to be put into consideration in reviewing laws
involving sex with children. In Singapore, the law is against a person having sex with a child
under the age of 16. In addition to that, the law is tougher for those having sex with minors
below the age of 14 is it considered as rape. In reviewing the law on sex with minors, it is
important to consider judicial precedents, the different classes under which the sex laws with
children falls and lastly, factor in public views on the same. The review of the law is crucial
because the public believes that the law is too lenient to the convicts.

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References
Chua, J. R., Chu, C. M., Yim, G., Chong, D., & Teoh, J. (2014). Implementation of the Risk–
Need– Responsivity framework across the juvenile justice agencies in
Singapore. Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 21(6), 877-889.
MOHAN, S. C. (2016). Underage Commercial Sex and 9 Criminal Prosecutions in
Singapore. Interpersonal Criminology: Revisiting Interpersonal Crimes and
Victimization.
Radics, G. B. (2013). Decolonizing Singapore's Sex Laws: Tracing Section 377A of Singapore's
Penal Code.
Terry, K. (2012). Sexual offenses and offenders: Theory, practice, and policy. Nelson Education.
Vendius, T. T. (2015). Proactive Undercover Policing and Sexual Crimes against Children on the
Internet. European Review of Organised Crime, 2, 6-24.
Wittes, B., Poplin, C., Jurecic, Q., & Spera, C. (2016). Sextortion: Cybersecurity, teenagers, and
remote sexual assault. Center for Technology at Brookings. https://www. brookings.
edu/wp- content/uploads/2016/05/sextortion1-1. pdf. Accessed, 16.