Structured Intervention Pathways for Managing Serious Sexual or Violence Cases, Especially Those Involving Children or Sustained Pattern of Harm
Ministry of Home AffairsSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin’s inquiry regarding mandatory intervention pathways for serious cases of sexual misconduct or violence involving children below the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that the focus is on safety and rehabilitation through referrals to schools, Family Service Centres, or the Institute of Mental Health. For serious behavioral challenges, parents can seek a Family Guidance Order, allowing the Youth Court to mandate counselling, statutory supervision, or admission into a gazetted home. These measures under the Children and Young Persons Act aim to address sustained patterns of harm while recognizing that young children lack maturity for criminal liability. This framework balances restorative actions in schools with clinical assessments and family-based interventions to ensure the child’s well-being and community safety.
Transcript
25 Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs what mandatory follow-ups or structured intervention pathways are in place to manage serious cases, such as sexual misconduct, and violence involving children below the minimum age of criminal responsibility, particularly if there are multiple victim reports or sustained patterns of harm.
Mr K Shanmugam: The Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility (MACR) recognises that children under a certain age are not mature enough to fully understand the nature and consequences of their conduct and, as such, should not be held criminally liable for their actions.
When the Police respond to cases involving children below the MACR, their priority is therefore to ensure the safety of parties involved, especially during the onset of the incident, while facilitating the child's rehabilitation and well-being. To support the offending child's rehabilitation, there are existing referral mechanisms to provide support and interventions. Police may refer the case to the child's school, where appropriate, for follow-ups, which can include disciplinary action or restorative actions to mend relationships between involved students. Police can also refer cases to a Family Service Centre, which will work with the family on improving family functioning issues; or to the Institute of Mental Health, for assessment on any mental disorder that may have contributed to the child's behaviour.
Families also play a crucial role in supporting their child's rehabilitation. Schools and agencies will work closely with the parents to support their child at home. However, in cases where the offending child has serious behavioural challenges, parents or guardians can also consider applying for a Family Guidance Order. The Youth Court can then mandate interventions, such as counselling, or place the child under statutory supervision or admit the child into a home gazetted under the Children and Young Persons Act.