Advocacy Group Opposes Corporal Punishment as a Solution to Violence
President Halimah Yacob sparked a national discussion on Monday (Dec 19) when she stated in a Facebook post that rapists should not be exempt from caning simply due to their age, advocating for a review of Singapore’s laws. “It’s timely that we review this law. It’s our duty to protect our young, and we must not fail them,” she emphasized.
In response, the prominent gender equality advocacy group, AWARE, expressed appreciation for the President’s concerns but firmly stated its opposition to corporal punishment. “We do not agree that the government should consider caning rapists who are above 50 years old,” AWARE asserted in a statement released on Facebook on Tuesday (Dec 20).
The organization argued that corporal punishment promotes a violent mindset, suggesting that authority and societal norms should be established through physical domination. “Instead of reducing the culture of violence, corporal punishment normalizes it, perpetuating a cycle of aggression and reinforcing harmful notions that equate masculinity with physical strength,” AWARE added.
Citing a survey conducted in October by the Singapore Children’s Society and Yale-NUS, AWARE highlighted that corporal punishment at home is largely viewed as ineffective and detrimental, leading to strained relationships between parents and children.
“Regarding the deterrence of potential abuse and recidivism, there is insufficient evidence that caning effectively deters sexual offenses or is more effective than prison terms, rehabilitation programs, or other non-violent penalties,” the group emphasized.
AWARE called for a reconsideration of how judicial practices might negatively impact domestic life. They noted a positive shift in the reporting of sexual abuse cases among children, as highlighted by the President. “Sexuality education is empowering young survivors to recognize and name their abuse, which has historically gone unreported for many years, often only emerging when survivors reach adulthood, if at all,” they concluded.
