INCIDENTS OF VOLUNTARILY CAUSING HURT

INCIDENTS OF VOLUNTARILY CAUSING HURT

2.

Ms Sylvia Lim asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs for the years 2005, 2006 and the first half of 2007, in respect of incidents of voluntarily causing hurt (a) what is the number of reports or calls for Police assistance regarding such incidents received by the Police; (b) what is the proportion of domestic to non-domestic incidents; and (c) what is the number and percentage of cases in which the Police voluntarily initiated prosecution of the suspect and the reasons for police initiation of such prosecutions.

Mr Wong Kan Seng: In 2005, 5,490 cases of Voluntarily Causing Hurt (VCH) were reported to the Police. In 2006, 6,406 VCH cases were reported while 3,697 cases were reported in the first half of 2007 (from January to June).

Police does not actively track the proportion of domestic to non-domestic incidents for VCH cases.

In 2005, out of the 5,490 VCH cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 734 cases, which constituted 13.4% of the VCH cases reported. In 2006, out of the 6,406 VCH cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 468 cases, which accounted for 7.3% of the VCH cases reported. In the first half of 2007 (from January to June), out of the 3,697 cases, Police initiated action on behalf of the victims in 319 cases, which constituted 8.6% of the VCH cases reported.

Police will initiate prosecution into VCH cases where there is harm to the public interest and safety, and when it is assessed that the assailant is a bully who is taking advantage of the weak and vulnerable - especially young children, senior citizens and physically or mentally-disabled persons. Police will also initiate investigations into suspected cases of maid abuse or road bullying.