Close to 180 law enforcement officers from Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Hong Kong SAR attended the opening ceremony of the Singapore Police Force (SPF) and United States (US) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Child Forensic Interview Regional Workshop (CFIRW), which runs from 16 to 20 September 2024. The CFIRW aims to equip officers with specialised skills and establish a network of child forensic interviewers across the region. By focusing on advanced forensic interviewing techniques, the workshop guides participants to conduct interviews that are both effective and trauma-sensitive, thereby improving the region’s capacity to combat the growing threat of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
This is the second collaboration between the SPF and US HSI to provide regional training platforms, following the inaugural Crimes Against Children Regional Forum held in July 2023 in Singapore. The continued partnership reflects the collective effort to safeguarding children in our region from the scourges of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Ms Sun Xueling, Minister of State (MOS), Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of Social and Family Development, and His Excellency Mr Jonathan Kaplan, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Singapore, attended the opening ceremony of the CFIRW today at the Police Cantonment Complex. In her opening address, MOS Sun reiterated Singapore's commitment to protecting and supporting children, and emphasised that bilateral and regional cooperation are important for addressing the global challenges in combating child sexual exploitation.
Deputy Director CID, Assistant Commissioner of Police (AC) Yeo Yee Chuan said, “Effective child forensic interviews are crucial to the successful investigation of child exploitation cases. These interviews enable the Police to gather accurate evidence to identify and prosecute perpetrators while prioritising the needs and well-being of child victims. The HSI-SPF Child Forensic Interview Regional Workshop 2024 brings together foreign law enforcement agencies from the region, strengthening our investigative strategies and practices in the fight against the threat of child sexual exploitation and abuse."
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
16 September 2024 @ 3:00 PM