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Illustration of Crimes against children increased by 39 per cent

Dramatic Surge in Crimes Against Children: What’s Behind the Alarming Statistics?

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In October, there was a notable surge in crimes against children, rising by 39 percent. A significant proportion of these incidents, approximately 64 percent, were classified as sexual offences, while 28 percent involved assaults, and the remaining eight percent comprised other types of offences.

The overall crime rate for the month increased by six percent compared to the same period last year. The police reported that in cases of domestic-related crimes against children, all the offenders were male family members. Among the victims, there were 90 girls and 78 boys.

In addition to crimes against children, serious crimes saw a 17 percent increase. Crimes against women rose slightly by 0.5 percent, with 85 percent being assault-related and 15 percent sexual offences; 36 percent of these incidents were domestic-related. The police specified that 67 cases involved spousal or partner relationships, while 11 cited relatives as perpetrators.

Acting Commissioner of Police Juki Fong Chew emphasized the need for continued collaboration with stakeholders to address the underlying causes of these alarming trends, particularly as many of these crimes occur within domestic settings. Despite these challenges, there is a commitment to tackling such issues effectively.

This increase highlights the importance of community awareness and preventative measures. The commitment from law enforcement to engage stakeholders is a hopeful sign that initiatives may arise to provide better protection for vulnerable groups.

In summary, while the rise in crimes against women and children is deeply concerning, the proactive stance of the police to address these issues indicates a step forward in safeguarding communities.


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