Shanmugam asks WP’s Raeesah Khan for details of allegations police mismanaged rape case

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SINGAPORE: Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam on Monday (October 4th) repeatedly called on Workers’ Party MP Raeesah Khan to provide further details following allegations that police mismanaged a sexual assault case.

In response, Ms Khan declined to provide this information, citing the need for confidentiality.

Ms Khan, MP for Sengkang RCMP, spoke during her party’s motion on women’s empowerment in parliament in August and explained how she accompanied a rape victim to make a police report three years ago. years.

KHAN’S COMMENTS IN AUGUST

The 25-year-old walked out of the police station crying, Ms Khan said, adding: “The officer reportedly made comments about her dressing and the fact that she was drinking.”

Ms Khan also said there was a need for “better treatment” of survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment by law enforcement.

Minister of State for the Interior Desmond Tan then asked for more details on the incident, so that an investigation could be opened.

Ms Khan replied that the incident had taken place three years ago and that she did not wish to re-traumatize the person she had accompanied. She later pointed out that she had not been able to contact the woman since the incident three years ago.

In a clarification, Ms Khan said she would communicate directly with the Home Office (MHA) on any future episode where a survivor believes she has been treated inappropriately by the police, while trying to preserve the confidentiality.

“Sir, I do not understand this point about confidentiality. May I ask through you, sir, Mrs Khan to confirm in this House, that everything she told us is correct, that she accompanied a such and such a person, and such an incident to happen? ” asked Mr. Shanmugam.

After Ms Khan replied in the affirmative, Mr Shanmugam said the records had been checked and there were no cases that matched the description she had given.

“The chairman and members will know that confidentiality does not extend to not telling us which police station. And sir, I’m going to leave it here for now. But that doesn’t mean the case is. pending, the police will further investigate this very serious matter, “he added.

“Police officers will question Miss Khan, and any allegations of misconduct relating to specific officers will be designated as the SPF (Singapore Police Force) internal affairs office for further investigation.”

A “VERY SERIOUS AFFAIR”

In a ministerial statement to parliament on Monday, Shanmugam said such allegations about the police are taken “very seriously”.

Ms. Khan said she did not want the victim to be re-traumatized or re-victimized. I understand and sympathize with that. And we will keep this in mind as we seek to investigate what happened. , especially since a member has raised this issue here in Parliament, to make sure we know what happened and, if necessary, discipline the police officers involved, “Shanmugam said.

“This does not necessarily mean naming the victim. We will carefully consider how to protect the victim and how to handle this case sensitively. What is extremely important is that we identify the police station, the officers involved. have given the police very clear instructions that we need to identify the officers involved, get their versions, to be fair to them, and what further action is taken depends on the facts. ”

SHANMUGAM PRESS KHAN FOR DETAILS

Mr. Shanmugam then asked Ms. Khan, through President Tan Chuan-Jin, for additional information such as the police station she visited with the victim and, if possible, the names of the police officer (s). who cared for Ms. Khan and the victim.

“Police have spent a lot of time researching their files since this point was raised. But they do not appear to be able to identify a case where Miss Khan was present with the victim. It is entirely possible that ‘They did not note Ms Khan. Khan, but it is very important that the question is not left open as to what may or may not have happened, “he said.

However, Ms Khan declined to give further details.

“Like I said, it happened three years ago and I couldn’t get in touch with the person I accompanied. And, you know, in terms of confidentiality, I’d rather it stayed that way, ”she said. noted.

Mr Shanmugam then reiterated his request for details of the police station, the month of the visit and the identities of the officers to be provided, if Ms Khan is aware of them.

In response, Ms Khan said she did not know the identity of the police.

When asked again for details such as the police station and the date of the incident, she again cited confidentiality as a reason for not wanting to reveal other information.

“I have to say that the President may have the power to guide the answers, since the question has been raised, and through you, sir, I will request that an instruction be given to this webe who said which post of font and month. And, if not the date, at least a month and what police station, “Shanmugam said.

In response, Mr Tan said it was a “fair question” and asked Ms Khan if she wanted to answer or continue in the same position.

“The reason is that some allegations have been made which I think are fair and serious and understand that the police would like to follow up to make sure they can rectify the situation. So any leads would be helpful without disclosing the name of the lady concerned, ”Mr. Tan said.

However, Ms Khan said, for the fourth time, her stance on confidentiality: “I always like it to be kept confidential.”

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