In one of the most shocking cases of sodomising, a jobless man was found to have sexually abused two young brothers. The incident took place during their two-month stay at the abuser’s house.
What’s most horrifying is the fact that this man was the boys’ godfather.
Man Abuses His Position As The Boys’ Godfather
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The abuser was given this ‘position’ after their birth father abandoned them 10 years ago. But he clearly took advantage of his proximity to the young brothers.
The Straits Times reports that the sexual abuse took place in 2019. At the time, the young boys and their mother had been recently evicted from their home due to a family dispute and were staying at a shelter. The accused and his wife then offered to take them in.
During this time, the boys were under a safety plan by a social service agency, as their mother had requested the care to allow their stay at the man’s flat.
The court found that the boys would often call the accused “Papa.” He played video games with them and would sign their school consent forms as well. He even tried to spend more time with them by withdrawing the boys from their school’s after-care programme. But his attempts were unsuccessful.
Sleeping arrangements made it easy to prey on the boys
The sleeping arrangements at their one-room flat made is easy for the man to prey on the young boys.
The older boy slept on the same mattress as the man and his wife. Meanwhile, the younger brother slept on another mattress with his mother and grandfather.
It is during these moments where the man would sodomise the older boy while the rest of their family slept. But these cases of sodomising didn’t end there.
Both Boys Were Victims Of Sexual Abuse
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In addition to night time, the man also sodomised the boys while they showered together.
After a few repeated incidents, the older boy enquired with his brother, and the younger allegedly confessed to have been molested.
The two boys initially did not tell anybody about the cases of sodomising and molestation, scared of ending up homeless.
However, after two months when they finally managed to get out of his house, they confided in their mother. All the cases of sodomising were then reported to the police, with the help of their social care worker.
Man Sentenced To Jail After Sexually Abusing His Godsons
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Last month, the man pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual assaults by penetration– between October and December 2019. Both of these were in favour of the older boy, who at the time of the incident was only 12-years.
High Court judge, Mavis Chionh, said in her sentence that the man preyed on a vulnerable victim. Since the older boy has a quiet personality, he was unlikely to raise complaints. She also added the godfather abused his position as the boy’s quasi-parental figure.
Justice Chionh added that the man “cynically abused the relationship” he had with his godson. And that instead of providing him comfort and security, he took advantage of the boy. All to satisfy his own sexual urges.
The judge took into account three charges:
- Sexually assaulting the older boy
- Molesting the younger boy
- An unrelated charge for hurting a bus driver
On Tuesday (13 April), the man was sentenced to 18 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane.
The two brothers are currently under the care of the Ministry of Social and Family Development. For the trauma from sexual abuse, the older boy has gone through eight psychotherapy counselling sessions.
This horrifying incident has once again highlighted the need to protect our children. Whether you are a family member or somebody a witness to such horrific incidents, please come forward and help the children. If not by yourself, confide in the police and use helpline numbers means specifically for this purpose.
Help Prevent Child Abuse
Any cases of sodomising or sexual abuse, in general, must be reported to the police (call 999). You can also seek help from the following helplines below:
- NAVH: 1800 777 0000
- AWARE: 1800 777 5555
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221 4444
- Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019
- Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
Let us create a safer world for our children and all our loved ones.
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