Voyeurism is a growing concern in Singapore: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE — Voyeurism must be recognised as a growing concern in Singapore, and autonomous universities must “keep up with the times” and ensure that policies and processes remain relevant in dealing with the issue, said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday (6 May), Ong noted that exposure to the Internet and technological advances have led some to think that voyeurism is not a serious offence.
“As our circumstances change, the autonomous universities must likewise keep up with the times and ensure that their policies and processes remain relevant in establishing a safe and supportive environment for all students,” he said, in reply to questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) on sexual misconduct on campus.
The minister said he has asked all autonomous universities and polytechnics in Singapore as well as the Institute of Technical Education to review their disciplinary frameworks.
Objectives of deterrence and redress for victims of sexual misconduct need to be better calibrated against the rehabilitation of the offender, Ong stressed.
“Balancing these objectives is important for an education institution, but it should not end up with penalties that are too lenient and have too soft a bite,” he said.
Ong added, “The autonomous university’s disciplinary frameworks should therefore be stringent but fair. ‘Two strikes and you’re out’ cannot be the standard application.”
However, he stressed that expulsions should not be the default for all forms of misconduct.
“The penalty must continue to fit the offence, but there has to be a significant adjustment at the most egregious end of the spectrum of misconducts when they are serious criminal offences that undermine the safety and security of university campuses,” said Ong.
It must be ensured that “potential offenders know the severe consequences of their actions, including the impact on their future” and if the offender “is remorseful, accepted and served punishment, he deserves a chance to make good”, he added.
Ong was speaking in Parliament amid the furore over the handling by the National University of Singapore (NUS) of the incident involving Nicholas Lim, a male NUS student who was caught filming undergraduate Monica Baey, 23, in a hostel toilet in November last year, and the perceived light punishments that Lim received.
The NUS Board of Discipline had ordered Lim, also 23, to be suspended for one semester. In addition, he was banned from entering into hostel premises on campus, had to undergo counselling sessions and was ordered to write a letter of apology to Baey.
Lim, who was a first-time offender, was also given a 12-month conditional warning by the police. If he were to commit another offence over the following 12 months after the warning, he would be prosecuted for both offences.
Tightening security on university campus
In response to the criticisms, the NUS has convened a committee led by Kay Kuok – a member of its Board of Trustees – to review its disciplinary framework, said Ong.
Its members will release some preliminary recommendations in mid-May for consultations, and aim to complete their work next month, added Ong, noting that the NUS management is taking immediate actions to improve the support systems and campus security.
In response to questions by MPs Tin Pei Ling, Foo Mee Har and Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, Second Minister for Education Indranee Rajah said that Baey’s case showed that there were shortcomings in victim support and areas which were lacking in the NUS.
One of the immediate steps of the university’s review committee will be to establish a Victim Care Unit, she said.
The NUS has also started installing full-height doors and partitions in the restrooms of all its hostels and sports facilities, as well as new locks at the entrances of hostel restrooms, Indranee added.
Other measures rolled out at the university include the installation of additional CCTV cameras at more locations on campus, the deployment of more security guards at its hostels and the introduction of roving security patrols across campus.
“As part of their overall review of campus security, the institutes of higher learning will take steps to address new forms of threats, such as the illegal installation of miniature cameras,” she added.
For example, the Singapore University of Social Sciences is collaborating with the Singapore Police Force to train its security staff to inspect toilet cubicles or ceilings for such cameras.
Apart from strengthening campus security and support systems, the institutes of higher learning are also committed to better educate students on “the importance of respect, but also what constitutes harm and violation”, and will be taking steps to strengthen such education, she added.
For instance, the NUS will be introducing a course on respect and consent at the start of the new academic year, for all students, faculty and staff.
On the attention that Baey’s case garnered, Ong noted, “We are a people with a strong sense of justice, who see the importance of differentiating between right from wrong; this explains the strong reaction to Ms Monica Baey’s situation.”
He stressed, however, that the public should refrain from trial by media, doxxing and resorting to mob justice, noting that the “harshest punishment” for Lim came from social media. After his identity was revealed, the student was suspended by insurer Great Eastern for misconduct. He later resigned from the job.
“I hope that as a society, we will give him and his family the time and space they need, to reflect on his actions, to turn over a new leaf, and move forward,” said Ong.
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