Singapore is open to considering chemical castration as a measure to combat sex crimes, provided there is clear evidence that it can reduce crime rates, Senior Minister K Shanmugam said on Tuesday (Sep 8).
However, he noted that evidence on the effectiveness of pharmacological anti-androgen treatments, more commonly known as chemical castration, remains inconclusive.
“We remain open to considering measures including pharmacological anti-androgen treatments, also known as chemical castrations, if it is clear that such measures are effective in bringing down crime rates. So far, the evidence is not conclusive on that,” said Mr Shanmugam.
Mr Shanmugam, who is also Home Affairs Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, was responding in a written parliamentary reply to Workers’ Party MP Gerald Giam.
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Mr Giam asked whether the Ministry of Home Affairs had evaluated chemical castration or a sex offender register as additional ways to deter sexual crime and reduce repeat offending. He also asked if statutory penalties for major sexual offences involving children and young people would be reviewed following recent increases in reported cases.
The Government takes a serious view of sexual crimes and imposes stiff penalties, particularly where the victim is a minor, Mr Shanmugam said.
Rape or penetrative sexual assault involving a minor under the age of 1 without consent carries a mandatory prison sentence of at least eight years and up to 20 years, with a minimum of 12 strokes of the cane.
Outrage of modesty against a minor under 14 is punishable by up to five years’ jail, a fine and caning. If the victim is hurt or restrained during the offence, the offender faces a mandatory minimum jail term of three years, which can be extended to 1 years, alongside mandatory caning.
“These are heavy penalties, which send a strong signal to deter such offences,” he said.
Enhanced public protection
Mr Shanmugam also pointed to legislative amendments aimed at protecting the public from serious offenders, including the Sentence for Enhanced Public Protection (SEPP), which began on Jul 31, 2026.
The framework applies to people convicted of serious violent or sexual offences who pose a substantial risk of reoffending. They may be detained for a minimum term of between five and 20 years, as determined by the court.
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They can be released only if the Minister for Home Affairs assesses that they no longer pose a threat to the public.
Sex offender screening
On Mr Giam’s proposal for a sex offender register, Mr Shanmugam said the police already maintain a non-public record of people convicted of serious crimes, including sexual offences.
Selected agencies, including the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, can access those records to screen applicants for roles involving sustained contact with children and young people.
“This approach balances the need to safeguard our children and the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts of ex-offenders,” Mr Shanmugam said.
The Government is also considering widening screening to more types of jobs that involve contact with children and young people, including the possible introduction of voluntary screening for unregulated sectors.
Mr Shanmugam said more details will be shared when ready.
