Chemical castration may not be the way to go in deterring sex crimes: Forum

I refer to the article “Government open to using chemical castration to tackle sex crimes if proven effective: Shanmugam” (Sept 8). AWARE is heartened that the Government continues to take sexual crimes seriously.

Rape and molestation cases have been increasing for the past three years. And many go unreported – from our experience, seven in 10 who reach out to our Sexual Assault Care Centre decide eventually not to report.

While this warrants urgent, sustained attention, we would urge caution on chemical castration. As Shanmugam himself acknowledged, evidence that it will bring down sexual crime rates remains inconclusive.

Beyond the lack of proof, the premise is concerning: that men are biologically unable to control their sexual urges, making offending a matter of impulse rather than choice.

This is not a theoretical worry. The police themselves noted that in most rape and molestation cases, the offender and victim already know each other, with residential premises among the most common settings – patterns more consistent with entitlement in existing relationships rather than inability to control themselves.

AWARE’s recently published Survey on Men’s Attitudes to Gender, Family and Society in Singapore found that over a third believe men “cannot control themselves” when sexually aroused, and 37 per cent believe men cannot be expected to stop sexual activity once a partner changes her mind.

Such beliefs are already widespread. Popular support for chemical castration risks entrenching them further, framing sexual violence as biological inevitability rather than a choice for which perpetrators must be held accountable.

A more sustainable approach lies in prevention through education. We recommend a national review of how sexuality education is delivered, from primary to tertiary level, shifting from an abstinence-based approach towards one that is consent-based and rights-affirming, in line with UNESCO’s guidance.

Crucially, this cannot stop at school: these beliefs need addressing across all life stages, including workplaces, national service and community settings, where they persist into adulthood.

Deterrence through punishment has its place, but it cannot substitute for changing the beliefs that enable sexual violence in the first place. We hope the Government will invest as seriously in prevention as it does in punishment.

Lim Shoon Yin
Executive Director
AWARE

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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