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Time to review the statutory rape laws

Time to review the statutory rape laws

It is time that our laws recognize that all young people need protection from sexual predators, that boys need as much protection as girls.

Existing laws on statutory rape were formulated in the 18th century and are not adapted to a situation in which young girls of 12 years or so are having sex, consensual sex, with boys of the same age (ref ST. 9th Feb 2010).

Laws must protect young people from the sexual predations of adults.

Absolutely. And the rationale behind the development of statutory rape laws was that the power disparity inherent in a relationship between a juvenile and an adult translates into a juvenile’s inability to resist an adult’s coercive influence.

These initial prohibitions were gender specific, restricting only a male’s sexual relations with young females, and were intended to “protect a father’s interest in his daughter’s chastity.” He can then marry her off more easily.

The most historically consistent rationale for statutory rape laws is to protect juveniles, generally from the coerced activity that they are not mature enough to refuse.

But the current reality is that young girls mature earlier than boys of the same age group. They do not live cloistered lives, as they did when the rape laws were introduced in the 18th century Today’s young girls are quite capable of seducing young boys, as evidenced by recent newspaper reports on teenage sexual activities and abortions.

In the 1970s, a new generation of feminists recognized that gender specific statutory rape laws perpetuated negative stereotypes regarding the vulnerability of women. They did not call for  the abolition of statutory rape laws, but instead called for reforms to make the laws gender neutral and thus remove the implication that only females are inherently vulnerable, but rather all juveniles are in need of protection. I think this is a progressive approach and protects both vulnerable girls and boys.

The many laws regulating the sexual conduct of young adult and adolescent peers need to be reformed.

Constance Singam

6th March 2010.

AWARE ED would like to hear from members

Dear AWARE Community,

Warm greetings!

Corinna Lim

I took office as AWARE’s 1st Executive Director (ED) on 1st March 2010 and it has been a whirlwind from the word Go!  No complaints as the activity has been positive and the ED appointment very well received from within and outside AWARE.

March was a particularly active media month for us – 19 appearances, letters and substantive quotes on various topics such as divorce and infidelity, sexual harassment, enforcement of maintenance orders.

Our team at the office is growing as more volunteers join us.  AWARE is blessed to be able to attract highly talented and passionate volunteers and one of my priorities is to set up a Volunteer Management System to optimize this resource. If you have any experience in volunteer management, please contact me.

For my first year, I will focus more on professionalizing our systems and implementing programmes that have already been planned. Concurrently, we will review our current strategy and programmes and start planning for the next three years. I have many questions such as:

a)     What services can we offer to provide more support for women getting back to work or seeking part time work

b)     How can we more effectively use our resources such as our training room which is unused for most of the day

c)     What can we offer to the Dover Community?

d)    Tertiary students and young female adults lack role models. What can we do about this?

e)      How do we engage men in our quest for gender equality? Does the present structure allow this or do we need to make fundamental changes?

I do not have the answers but I know that the answers to these and many other questions lie in community reflection and discussion. I welcome your ideas on the above and anything else that you would like to share with me. Send them to me at  ed@aware.org.sg

I would also love to meet with as many of you as possible. Please make a date to attend the inaugural “Members Meet Up” evening. We will announce details soon.

We are in the process of organizing our most ambitious fund raising event to-date –  “Superwomen in Concert“ featuring Dim Sum Dollies, Rahimah Rahim, Tan Kheng Hua and many other talented female performers.

Please do support us by subscribing to our sponsorship packages (with complimentary VIP tickets), buying SISTIC tickets, volunteering your help or simply spreading the word to your friends.

Hope to see you soon!

Warmest regards.

Corinna

Victims should speak out

If you are looking for more info on sexual harassment, see here

This letter was published in The New Paper on 31st Mar 2010

By Corinna Lim

We refer to your report on the sexual harassment incidents which took place at the YOG’s Chef de Mission Seminar.

The fact that there were quite a few incidents in a short 4 day period indicates that the reported sexual harassment incidents are not uncommon at events like this. This is confirmed by Ms Annabelle Pennefather who also said that she would usually brief and warn her volunteers about such matters.

Workplace sexual harassment (WSH) is prevalent in Singapore but many perpetrators get away with it simply because most victims do not report.

In this case, it is noted that the CEP Champions were not in an employment situation. They were in a project situation and thus did not have as much to lose compared to an employment situation. And that may be why a few of them did speak out.

In TNP’s report on ‘Be my special designer girlfriend’ (23/3/2010) , it was significant that the perpetrator had a record of harassing other staff explicitly, but they all tolerated it as they were in his employment. The whistle blower was someone who had not yet started work yet.

This just goes to show how difficult it is for victims of WSH to report. And if we do not start seriously spreading the message that this really is unacceptable behavior and start taking action against perpetrators, harassment will continue unpunished.

The CEP Champions involved were not shy wall flowers. They were specially chosen for their leadership qualities. Yet, it was clear that they found it hard to really put their foot down in an assertive way. They declined invitations and some walked off, but it seemed that no one actually said “Stop! You are making me uncomfortable or Stop! This is inappropriate behaviour”.  This is the recommended response to put the perpetrator on notice that his actions are not welcomed.

The lack of specific legislation, a code of conduct and a strong culture prohibiting WSH makes it extremely difficult for victims to take more assertive action.

Moving forward, we would urge SYOGOC to:

i)conduct and investigate the various incidents that have been reported, including investigating whether or not any of these incidents involving physical harassment were reported to any officials, and if not, why not;

ii)establish a clear code of conduct for delegates and participants as to what constitutes inappropriate behavior;

iii)train the volunteers on how they should handle such incidents i.e. to Say No! very firmly so that the perpetrator knows that the conduct is unwelcomed; and

iv)establish processes for people to report harassment incidents and for dealing with such incidents.

Dealing with Sexual Harassment June 1st

If you are looking for more info on sexual harassment, see here

Zero tolerance to Sexual Harassment

The recent press coverage on sexual harassment has brought attention to this highly under-reported form of misconduct.

Some companies and consultants have said that sexual harassment is not really an issue in Singapore. However, our survey of 500 respondents showed that 54% of respondents had experienced some form of sexual harassment in their workplace. Of those harassed, 79% were female; indicating that men were not spared.

What exactly is sexual harassment? Does the law protect you against this form of behaviour? What are your options if you are victim of sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment in the workplace affects morale, decreases productivity and reduces the self-esteem of the victim. The confusion, guilt and shame can cripple a person’s personal and professional growth.

This workshop aims to empower you with the tools to defend yourself against sexual harassment. Apart from learning about sexual harassment, we have also invited a professional self-defence instructor to demonstrate a few personal protection moves.

JOIN US. Take a zero-tolerance stand against sexual harassment!

 

The workshop helps you:

  • What constitutes Sexual Harassment
  • Myths about Sexual Harassment
  • How you can deal with Sexual Harassment
  • Your legal rights and remedies

Who Should Attend:
Anyone who wants to know more about workplace sexual harassment and how to deal with this, including employees and people managers.

Date: 1 June 2010, Tuesday
Time: 7-9:30pm
Venue: Aware Centre – mapPrice:
Single: $20
Pair: $32 – $16 each!

AWARE members who sign-in at the website before purchasing will get a 50% discount off the purchase price. That’s just $10 for the workshop or $16 for a pair: $8 each! So bring a friend!

 

For more information contact publiceducation@aware.org.sg or 6779 7137.

This event is now closed

AWARE launches Schools Collaboration Programme

AWARE welcomes collaboration with students in a number of ways:

  • Help with school projects related to women’s issues and gender equality
  • Community Involvement Programmes (CIP)
  • Service Learning Projects
  • Internship opportunities
  • Participation in school forums on a selective basis

If you would like to explore how you or your school could collaborate with us, please contact Wong Meiling at 6779 7137 or meiling@aware.org.sg.
The videos below are examples of two such collaborations.

Love Yourself Campaign 2009

The Love Yourself Campaign was a Singapore Poly student project sponsored in part by AWARE. The students came together over a couple of days and made pledges to love themselves – even the imperfections! The participants all wrote down something they loved about their body.

Thanks to Tessa, Anna, Su Hui, Yurica, Shel and Shahira.
Women in Business 2010

This presentation was put together by 5 SMU students for their Business, Government and Societies module. AWARE assisted the students by providing some research materials, answers to interview questions as well as joining the students at their presentation for a Q&A session with the class. The exchange was felt to be mutually beneficial and AWARE was very happy to have had the opportunity to meet the young men who put together such a great analysis.

The interview was crucial in helping us understand the plight of working women in Singapore and helped us develop an objective stance to our project. It was definitely a learning experience for us, a group of young male students, to gain a different perspective of the real world. Your presence during our presentation is also deeply appreciated. The dialogue session enabled the class to also gain an insight into what you have given our group bringing the presentation to a whole new level.
– Avinesh Basand Ram

Thanks to Avinesh Basand Ram, Larry Lin Jun Jie, Nigel Lin Jun Lin, Yap Xing Yao and Yeo Jiehan Aaron.

Move on maintenance payments is good; more can be done

This letter was sent to the Straits Times on 18 March 2010

AWARE Welcomes New Measures for Maintenance Enforcement

The new measures announced last week by the Ministry of Community Development to strengthen the enforcement of maintenance orders are significant and positive developments in the family justice system.  They are particularly important to those claimants who struggle to access money already ordered to be rightfully theirs by the court.

There are two aspects to this problem. First, the number of defaulters is significant and on the rise.  Second, many complainants, mostly women, encounter difficulties in navigating the enforcement process which can be costly, time-consuming and daunting.  The proposals deal with both of these aspects.

Some of the new measures to deter defaults and secure payments are particularly innovative and have real potential to ensure that those who should be paying maintenance actually do so.  Giving the court the power to impose community-based sentences is a better approach than imposing fines and  prison sentences, which often lack the intended deterrent effect and can even lessen the  claimant’s   chances of getting the maintenance due to her.

Giving claimants the means to report maintenance debts to credit bureaus will hopefully deter a potential defaulter from ignoring his responsibility to pay maintenance. He will realise that other aspects of his financial well-being can be affected by non-payment.  Increasing the number of ‘attachment to earnings’ orders has proven effective in other countries as it takes the matter out of the defaulter’s control.

Such powers are meaningless, however, unless claimants can access them.  The typical claimant is a mother in her late 30’s or 40’s with only secondary education.  She is usually seeking to enforce the maintenance order against her ex-spouse, often having to do so repeatedly, and cannot afford a lawyer.  Efforts to make the process easier are most welcomed.

Increased availability of assistance for litigants-in-person and the power to order parties to disclose details of their financial status are all laudable developments.  More can be done, such as giving access to tax statements in addition to CPF statements.

Future developments could build on these improvements, for example setting up a central body to administer and enforce maintenance payments, as has happened in places such as the United Kingdom and Australia.  For now however, AWARE welcomes and applauds these measures and acknowledges the work of various organisations like the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations in pushing for change.
Corinna Lim
Executive Director

Wondering if you’ve been sexually harassed? Don’t agonise in silence.

If you are looking for more info on sexual harassment, see here

AWARE’s Letter to the ST Forum published March 15 2010

There are two issues that concern us in this matter.

Firstly, the issue puts paid to the notion that a husband’s extra-marital affairs are acceptable as long as he is discreet. The public outcry shows that the assumptions as to men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities in the family have changed.

Women today will not swallow the pain and hurt of a betrayal without complaint.  They will not accept that a husband’s infidelity is “unavoidable”, no matter how successful he is. The strength and cohesiveness of families is dependent on both partners treating each other with love and respect.

Secondly, the drama has drawn attention to a problem which is common but rarely talked about: workplace sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is any conduct of a sexual nature – verbal, visual or physical – that is unwelcome or offensive. This excludes any behaviour which is consensual – when both parties are willing, there is no harassment.

Some of the women involved reported that Mr. Neo used the carrot of career promotions to get to know them. This is a classic form of sexual harassment known as “Quid Pro Quo” harassment, characterised by an authority figure offering a subordinate career benefits (for instance “a bigger role”) in exchange for sexual favours.

It is not uncommon for a pattern of sexual harassment to go undetected for a long time. Many cases go unreported because victims feel isolated, blame themselves or simply because they are unsure that they have been victimised.

Maelle Meurzec, who was a subject of Mr. Neo’s attention when she was 16, described the feelings of many women in this situation: “…we want to tell ourselves that the man is only trying to be friends. We are scared that we are over-analysing things.”

Sexual harassment is very common. In a 2008 study conducted by AWARE, 54% of the 500 participants surveyed reported having been sexually harassed at work. This includes both men and women.

Anyone wondering whether they are being sexually harassed should not agonise in silence. They should consult friends, a trusted colleague, their HR department or call AWARE’s helpline at 1800 777 5555.

Corinna Lim

Executive Director
AWARE
Block 5 Dover Crescent #01-22
Singapore 130005

Note: for more information on Sexual Harassment, click here.

To learn more about courses offered by AWARE for organisations wishing to address this problem, click here

AWARE staff member named Woman of the Year by expat association

AWA President-Caitlin Fry & Kerry Wilcock

The American Women’s Association of Singapore (AWA) has chosen Kerry Wilcock, AWARE’s Direct Services manager, as its 2010 International Woman of the Year.

The AWA created the award to recognise and honour international women who have made a positive difference to the lives of people living in Singapore. The award this year, AWA said, went to a woman who is “a role model in her effort to make a difference” and exemplifies this year’s International Women’s Day theme of Equal right, equal opportunities: Progress for all.

Kerry, 40, has worked in the social services sector for 20 years, including six years in Singapore. She joined the AWARE Secretariat as Direct Services manager two years ago.

AWARE President Dana Lam said: “We are delighted and very proud of the honour bestowed on Kerry Wilcock by the American Women’s Association. In the two years that she has been on staff, Kerry has added substantively to our core services. She has also been an inspiration and a source of strength as a leader and a trainer to her peers and to the organisation.”

Kerry Wilcock with Philippine Ambassador Minda Cruz

AWARE’s Direct Services reach out to more than 3,000 women in Singapore every year.

Apart from her work at AWARE, Kerry was also active in 2009 in these community groups – The Society Against Family Violence, Raffles Community Leaders Forum, Befrienders Training for NTUC female union leaders, South West CDC Community Leaders Network, Family Violence Network Outreach for West Division, ASEAN Human Rights Workshop and Guest Mentor at the Singapore chapter of Women @Intel Network.

The award was presented to Kerry at a reception on 5th March attended by members of the diplomatic corps and guests from the local and expatriate communities. Read an abridged version of the speech she made.

a man is not a financial plan 25 Mar

Event date: Thursday, 25 March 2010

Today, a number of factors such as increased longevity, climbing divorce rates, low birth rates and a possible widowhood make dependency on husbands and children very vulnerable. While women have made great progress in the working world, very often, even the smartest neglect their own finances. More than ever, it is imperative that women take responsibility for their family’s and their own financial affairs.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, ipac is pleased to present its signature A Man Is Not A Financial Plan seminar.

In this lively and engaging session, we will look at:

~         different issues that women face at different life stages
~         socio-economic issues that are obstacles to female financial independence
~         Six Steps to financial freedom
~         how women’s investing behaviour is a double-edged sword and how to create a frame
work for sensible (and successful) investing

A step-by-step process on how to achieve financial freedom. No jargon and no hot air.

Date:25 Mar 2010

Time: 630pm

Venue:ipac boardroom May Bank Tower #27-00

Contact- Helena Paul at 65117364