Warning: This article contains descriptions of sexual harassment and mentions of self-harm. Reader discretion is advised.

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A teacher from a top school in Singapore has pleaded guilty to one charge of showing sexual videos to a minor.

On Jan. 28, 2021, the 49-year-old civics tutor was contacted by the mother of a student from his form class.

She voiced concern over her son's relationship with his classmates as she had observed him becoming more moody and tired.

The boy had indicated that he felt ostracised and that he had no purpose in life, according to the statement of facts as seen by Mothership.

Approached victim

After the teacher pulled the teen aside for a talk, the boy revealed that he had negative thoughts and was contemplating self-harm.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Yvonne Poon said the teacher gave his personal number to the student.

He told the then 17-year-old victim to save his contact under an alias as their chat was “not exactly legit”.

The boy "expressed surprise and genuine gratitude that an adult man could understand him so well," said DPP Poon.

The teacher had had about 22 years of teaching experience by then.

Inappropriate advice

On Feb. 2, 2021, the teacher handed the boy a self-help book, saying he had bought it for the victim.

When asked why he felt the need to self-harm, the boy told the teacher it was a coping mechanism for emotions.

The teacher said "he saw himself in the victim, as he had had similar problems when he was 17".

The teacher told the boy males his age only had two ways to relieve stress—"medication and masturbation".

"At this, the victim felt uncomfortable, but did not know how to verbalise his discomfort," DPP Poon stated.

The teacher persisted, asking if the teen watched porn.

He then pulled out his phone to show him pornographic videos.

Invited victim over

On Feb. 6, the teacher brought the boy to his flat.

Before dinner, the teacher said the weather was hot and asked the victim if he wanted to take off his shirt.

He offered the boy a standard issue army singlet and watched the boy as he changed.

When they were eating, the teacher told the boy he had vacationed in Bali with a former student.

He said they had engaged in sexual activities with two sex workers together.

Got victim drunk

Both during and after dinner, the student mentioned that he felt pressured by the teacher to keep drinking soju.

Having drunk more than the boy, the teacher began crying.

He initiated physical contact and started conversations of a sexual nature.

The teacher touched the teen on his chest and arm with his hands.

The teacher later showed the victim pornographic videos, claiming to be one of the people in the clips.

He also showed him a hentai video.

"Throughout the course of the night, the victim had felt uncomfortable but had not stopped the [teacher] when the latter touched him, as he did not realise how strange the actions were at that point in time. He viewed the [teacher] as a guardian figure and did not second-guess the [teacher's] intention," DPP Poon stated.

When the boy returned home that night, he confided in his mother about what had happened.

The issue was escalated to school authorities who filed a police report.

Sentenced to three months' jail

The teacher resigned in February 2021.

The Straits Times reported that the teacher's lawyer Tan Kah Tian "sought two weeks’ jail or a short detention order for his client, stating that this was his first brush with the law".

“He acted completely out of character. He taught over 100 students and this was the only case in which an offence was committed. It is very unlikely he will reoffend, given that he has left the education industry,” the defence attorney said.

The teacher was sentenced to three months' jail.

He is to return to court for sentencing on Mar. 28 2023.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear.

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222 (24 hours)

Tinkle Friend: 1800-274-4788 (for primary school-aged children)

Top image via mclee