33% of rape & outrage of modesty cases in S’pore in 2025 occurred in residential premises: Goh Pei Ming

Between 2024 and 2025, rape cases in Singapore rose by 78, from 401 to 479, while outrage of modesty cases increased by 104, from 1,427 to 1,531, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming in Parliament on Apr. 8.

Majority of cases involve offenders known to victims

While the rise in rape and outrage of modesty cases had already been flagged by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) in February, further details on where such offences took place were provided in Parliament, alongside targeted interventions in schools and domestic settings.

Responding to a question by Member of Parliament Gho Sze Kee, on where rape and molestation cases involving offenders known to victims occurred and what measures were being taken, Goh confirmed that the majority of rape cases and more than half of outrage of modesty (OM) cases occurred in residential premises.

He added: “The proportions of rape and OM cases involving offenders known to victims have remained stable over the past five years.”

Most cases took place in residential premises

In 2025, about 33 per cent of all rape and outrage of modesty cases took place in residential premises, while 18 per cent occurred in commercial premises.

Another 3 per cent took place in educational institutions.

For cases occurring in residential settings, offenders were often known to the victims, including current or former partners, household members, and friends.

Measures in schools and homes

Goh said the government takes a firm stance against all forms of sexual offending, and ministries have implemented a suite of measures to prevent offending, encourage reporting, and improve victim support regardless of where the offence occurs.

“For example, in educational settings, students are taught to report their concerns and to seek help from trusted adults,” he noted.

In domestic settings, he continued, specialist agencies such as protection specialist centres and child protection specialist centres provide social and emotional support to victims of intra- and extra-familial violence, including sexual violence.

He emphasised that the police also provide victim care services when investigating sexual offences.

Top images via MDDI/YouTube, Canva