TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FOR THE SEX INDUSTRY

TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FOR THE SEX INDUSTRY: 13.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what is the policy on handling sex workers who are trafficked in by sex agents, in that are they seen as offenders or victims; (b) how many Singaporeans, in the last two years, have been caught as agents trafficking in women for the sex industry both here and abroad; and (c) whether it is time to up the punitive measures against traffickers caught in Singapore.

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (for the Minister for Home Affairs): There aretwo categories of sex workers. The first category which forms the preponderantmajority of the cases that come to Police’s attention, comprises those who voluntarily work as sex workers. They are neither victims nor offenders as prostitution per se is not an offence in Singapore. They will be prosecuted only if they contravene our laws or if there is sufficient evidence that they have solicited for sexual services in public.

The other category comprises those who are forced or tricked into coming toSingapore to work as sex workers. The numbers in this category are very small. Since they are victims, they will not be prosecuted, unless they have committed some other offence. They will serve as prosecution witnesses against the agent who had brought them in. In the meantime, they are offered temporary shelter, psychological and emotional counselling as well as other forms of assistance. Since 2002, there have been onlysix substantiated cases of women forced or tricked into prostitution.

Sir, as to the number of Singaporeans, in the last two years, who have been caught as agents trafficking in women for the sex industry both here and abroad, the answer is no Singaporean has been caught. Neither does the Police have statistics of Singaporeans caught abroad, if any.

Substantiated cases of forced prostitution are very rare. In 2002 and 2003, there were 11 andseven reported cases of forced prostitution respectively but none was substantiated. Up till July this year,eight cases of forced prostitution were reported but onlytwo were substantiated. The agents, fromThailand and Sri Lanka, have been charged and convicted in Court.

Our laws against trafficking in women are very strict. For example, if the woman was below 14 years old or was forced against her will, the client who had sex with her could be convicted of rape. The agent who brought her in for this purpose could also be convicted of abetting the rape, and liable to imprisonment for a term of between8and 20 years and caning of at least 12 strokes if convicted.

The Penal Code criminalises the selling and buying of aperson below 21 years old for the purpose of prostitution. The penalty is an imprisonment term of up to 10 years, and a fine. The Penal Code also makes it an offence to assist in bringing intoSingaporeany women with the intent to sell her for prostitution. This is punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine. The Women’s Charter also contains similar provisions on trafficking of women for prostitution and other related offences.

In summary, trafficking of women for the purpose of prostitution is not rampant in Singapore. There is no need to enhance the already punitive punishments.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam (Nominated Member): Could I ask the Senior Minsiter of State how does the Police establish, during the course of investigations, whether a person is trafficked ornot? The second question is: in the case of the domestic workers who are later found to be trafficked, what would be the measures taken against the agent who first brought them in and was that substantial in regard to this particular case?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, the first thing that the Police will do when they arrest a sex worker is to interview her to ascertain whether she had come in voluntarily or whether she has been traffickedor brought inagainst her will or being tricked into coming in.These facts are established upfront in the interview. Like I have said, agents who are found to have trafficked women into Singapore, meaningnot smuggled in with the consent or the assistance of the sex worker, but either tricked or forced, there are sufficient provisions in the Act to deal with them. Indeed, when these rare cases have surfaced, they have been dealt with.

Ms Braema Mathiaparanam: Could I ask the Senior Minister of State on what kind of definitionare we working, wherePolice investigations are concerned, to establish whether one is a trafficked person? The second question is: what kind of training do our Police frontline officers have in this special area of trafficking where sex workers are concerned?

Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee: Sir, like I have said, it is quite clear. If the sex workers come in voluntarily - and many of them do -on a social visit pass, ply their trade and arecaught,then,of course, if they have not overstayed,they are sent back. But, if a person comes in and said that she was brought in - she may have come in legally, butwas tricked into coming here because the agent may have said she is coming here as a maid, for example, andshe laterfinds out that she is working as a sex worker -we will investigate to see whether the agent has committed the offence of fradulently deceiving her into coming in.

The third category would be if she comes, either voluntarily or tricked, andshe is threatened, or, in fact, sometimes even assaulted, into continuing being a sex worker, then the third definition "of being forced into prostitution" kicks in.

Our officers in the Anti-Vice Enforcement Unit are very experienced. The important thing is that they will interview the sex workers, who at that point in time will not be under any duress orpressure not to tell the truth.