The Police have arrested 207 women and 5 men, aged between 17 and 57, for their suspected involvement in vice-related activities.
Between 12 June and 24 July 2023, officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the seven Police Land Divisions conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations island-wide, including commercial premises, massage establishments, beauty salons, hotels and residential units. The subjects have been arrested for offences under the Women’s Charter 1961, Immigration Act 1959 and Penal Code 1871. Out of the 212 arrestees, seven of them are vice abettors.
A 41-year-old male Singapore citizen has been charged in court on 19 July 2023 for procuring any woman for the purpose of prostitution within Singapore under Section 140(1)(b) of the Women’s Charter 1961. Investigations are ongoing against the other arrestees.
Under the Women’s Charter 1961, any person who, in the course of business, uses a remote communication service with a Singapore link to offer or facilitate the provision by a woman or girl to another person of sexual services in Singapore in return for payment or reward, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both. Where the person is a repeat offender, he will be liable on conviction, to a fine not exceeding $150,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to both. In addition, any person who –shall be punished on conviction with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000.
Under the same Act, any person who - (i) procures any woman for the purpose of prostitution; (ii) knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of the prostitution of another person; and (iii) knowingly solicits, receives or agrees to receive any gratification as an inducement or reward for providing any service, and who by providing that service does or will aid the prostitution of another person, shall be punished on conviction with imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $100,000. Where the person is a repeat offender, he shall be liable on conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years and shall also be liable to a fine not exceeding $150,000.
Under the Penal Code 1871, any person who obtains for consideration the sexual services of a person, who is below 18 years of age, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 7 years, or with fine, or with both.
Additionally, under the Housing and Development Board’s (‘HDB’) terms and conditions, HDB flat owners are responsible for conducting regular checks to ensure that their tenants do not misuse the flat, further rent out any part of the flat, or create nuisance to their neighbours by using the flat for vice activities. HDB takes a serious view of flat owners and tenants who violate such conditions, particularly if the flat is misused for vice activities, and will not hesitate to take the appropriate action against them.
A premise owner or the agent of an owner of a premise (includes private property and HDB units) who knowingly rents the premise to any person for vice-related activities can be prosecuted under the Women’s Charter and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $150,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding seven years or to both.
The island-wide anti-vice operations is part of Police’s ongoing effort to keep Singapore safe and secure. The Police will continue to partner with the community and members of the public on the information submitted regarding vice activities and will take tough enforcement action against those involved in such activities.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
27 July 2023 @ 9:50 PM