Preventing Spent Criminal Convictions for Child Abuse Offences

20 Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked the Minister for Social and Family Development whether the Ministry will consider including child abuse offences under the Children and Young Persons Act 1993 in the Third Schedule of the Registration of Criminals Act 1949 as offences for which a criminal record cannot be spent.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Individuals will be disqualified from having their criminal records spent if the sentence imposed on them meets certain criteria as prescribed in the Registration of Criminals Act (RCA). This includes individuals convicted of relevant offences under the Children and Young Persons Act (CYPA), which carry stiff penalties of imprisonment and/or fine. This ensures that screening regimes remain robust, particularly for roles involving contact with children and vulnerable persons.

In more egregious child abuse cases, individuals may also be convicted under the Penal Code, such as for offences of voluntarily causing grievous hurt, or causing the death of a child aged below 14 years by sustained abuse. These individuals will also be disqualified from having their criminal records spent as such offences are covered under the Third Schedule of RCA.

The Ministry of Social and Family Development will continue to work closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs to enhance the effectiveness of the various safeguards in place for the safety of children.