In this day and age, we are better informed about the the dangers of the outside world, including child rapists and paedophiles who murder innocent kids. But sex crimes aren’t always outright violent like this. Underaged sex is also a serious sex crime. One Singaporean man is getting a three year sentence for indecent assault on a minor — a young girl aged just 11 years old.
25-year-old man had sex twice with young girl
In 2016, Li Jixian, a 25-year-old car dealer, made friends with an 11-year-old Vietnamese girl. However, things escalated quickly, and he engaged in unprotected sex with the girl not once, but twice. He claims the sex was consensual.
Li pleaded guilty last Thursday, 22nd November 2018 for sexually penetrating the girl. His sentence for indecent assault on a minor was three years’ jail.
According to Asoka Markandu, the Deputy Public Prosecutor, the 25-year-old Singaporean first made contact with the underaged girl in April 2016 using Wechat, a social media app.
Following their chats over the next few days, both decided to meet in person. Later that month, their initial face-to-face meeting happened in a shelter near a playground. The playground was close by the girl’s residence in eastern Singapore.
Asoka explained that “The accused recalled that in their first encounter, they had walked around, chatted, hugged and kissed each other on the lips. After that day, they continued to stay in touch via WeChat.”
After two months, they agreed to meet up again at the same location. At that time, Li brought the girl to a place at the back of a bin centre. There, he had sex with the underaged girl.
Later, in July 2016, both arranged another meeting. This time they traveled to a block of apartments within the girl’s neighbourhood, and had sex in one of the staircase landings.
sentence for indecent assault on a minor
Sentence for indecent assault on a minor
Official documents from the court did not disclose how Li’s sex crimes became exposed. However, on the 13th August 2016, the 11-year-old’s mum filed a police report, asserting that her daughter was raped previously.
Henry Lim, a Defence Lawyer, informed Kessler Soh, the District Judge, that apparently the underaged victim lied to Li, saying that her age was 17 years old.
Mr Lim also further explained that the culprit accepted his fate. He says that “The accused accepts he has to be blamed as he did not take steps to ascertain the truth in her statement. This was his fatal mistake.”
The culprit pleaded for a lighter penalty than the sentence for indecent assault on a minor, which the prosecution established to be a three-year jail term.
DPP Asoka advised the court that it was Li’s responsibility being a 25-year-old adult to confirm whether the girl was of an appropriate age before having sexual intercourse with her.
Currently, Li has been released from a $10,000 bail. He was instructed to return and attend at the State Courts on 4th January, where he will begin his sentence for indecent assault on a minor.
Under Singapore law, the maximum penalty for having sex with a minor is 20 years imprisonment, fines and caning.
Tips to prevent your child from being a victim of sexual assault
We don’t know if the girl in this case knew what the consequences of her consensual sexual activities were. Children shouldn’t be involved in sex – consensual or not. Most children aren’t physically and emotionally mature enough to face the consequences from a sexual relation, let alone pregnancy.
The best way to prevent the worst from happening is to educate them while they’re young. Here’s how:
- Reiterate from a very young age that your child’s body is private and belongs to her only. Tell your child that no matter what, even if a stranger seems likable and offers to engage in a sexual relationship with them, always say “no” to them.
- If your child is old enough, explain to her what the possible consequences of engaging in sexual relations could be. That could include pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmissible diseases.
- If they do touch your child’s body in a way that makes her feel uncomfortable, or forcefully engages in sexual acts, tell them to run away and report the matter to the police.
- Tell your child it is wrong if an adult asks (no matter how politely and sweetly) or forces them to provide them with hugs and kisses — even if it’s a family member or friend.
- Avoid giving your child internet access in a place where you can’t monitor her. Particularly, try not to give her a handphone while she’s still young. Place your computer in a common room in the house. Don’t forget to ban her from entering online chatrooms or talk with strangers on social media, too.
Aside from just instructions, don’t forget to…
- Leave some time every day to chat with your child about what happened today. Experts suggest giving your child an opportunity to air out any worries, or anything at that could have happened using open-ended questions like, “Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?”, rather than sticking to questions such as “How was your day?”
Talking with your children about their sexuality early will help to prevent cases of indecent assault on a minor. | Image Source: Stock Photo
What should I do if my child has been sexually abused, assaulted, or engaged in sexual relations with an adult?
Parents, if you think that your child has engaged in some form of sexual relations with others, the HPB advises you remain calm. Then, reassure her that you believe her story and that the incident wasn’t her fault. Next, bring your child to a healthcare professional or hospital immediately for a quick health check up. Don’t hesitate to also file make a police report.
You may also use the following information to contact the Ministry of Social and Family Development Child Protection and Welfare Service:
Phone: 1800-7770000 (Mon-Fri: 8.30am to 5.30pm)
Counter Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 8.30am to 5.30pm
Address: 512 Thomson Rd #10-00 MSF Building, S(298136)
Parents, we hope that this article a sentence for indecent assault on a minor was helpful. If you liked this article, share it on social media!
References: Straits Times
Also Read:
68-year-old man sentenced to jail for sexual abuse of 11-month-old baby
Why you need to talk to your child about sexual abuse now!
Repeat offender lured girls into apartment, receives maximum punishment
Father sexually abuses his three daughters, aged 1 to 5
Why Counselling is Important for Child Sexual Abuse Survivors