The month of February recorded an increase of seven per cent in Crimes against Women and ten per cent in Crimes against Children.
Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew said the Western, Eastern and Central Divisions recorded increases in crimes against women while the Southern, Western and Eastern Divisions recorded increases in crimes against children.
Reiterating his concern on the increase in the two crimes, the Acting Commissioner said with majority of the incidents occurring within domestic settings, holistic concerted efforts are needed to address the root causes of the serious crimes occurring within a setting that is expected to be a safe zone, our homes.
A total of 218 cases against women was recorded for the month, whereby 33 per cent of the cases were committed in the domestic setting, committed mostly by spouses or their partners.
Women victims were mainly between the ages of 18-38, and prevalent offences during the month of February were Assault (148 cases in February 2023 to 157 cases February 2024 year) followed by common assault (12 cases in February 2023 to 29 cases this year).
Of the 218 cases, 11 per cent were sexual offences while 89% were assault related offences.
155 women victims were aged between 18-38 years, 46 aged between 39 – 59 years and 17 over 60 years.
Also a worry is the increase in Crimes against children by ten per cent, with 16 per cent of the incidents reported in a domestic setting perpetrated by parents and relatives.
The offences that recorded increases were Rape from 11 in February 2023 to 20 for the same period this year, Indecent assault (7 to 11 cases) Incest (0 to 4 cases) Common Assault (6 to 10 cases). The rise in rape cases is due to multiple counts of some cases.
Of the 115 child victims, 72 are girls and 43 boys. 47 per cent of the 115 cases were sexual offences with 44 per cent assault related and the remaining nine percent other offences.
