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At the Sexual Crime Awareness Seminar on 27 April 2026, the message was clear: tackling sexual crime requires community action.
Held in conjunction with the International Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the fifth run of the seminar brought together the Singapore Police Force (SPF), key partners and stakeholders for a collective effort to further protect victims of sexual crime.
Guest-of-Honour Ms Sim Ann, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, reinforced this call to action in her opening address.
“This year’s seminar theme, ‘Community Action to Protect Sexual Crime Victims,’ is therefore timely and critical,” said SMS Sim. “It underscores the need for collective effort in safeguarding our shared spaces and in supporting victims of sexual crimes.”
A Growing Need for Vigilance
While sexual assault cases have remained stable at about 2,500 cases annually over the past five years, outrage of modesty cases rose by 7.3% to 1,531 cases in 2025. Most cases occur in public spaces such as transport networks, shopping centres, commercial premises and nightlife areas.
To raise crime awareness and encourage vigilance, SMS Sim launched a year-long campaign, “Don’t be a Bystander! SPOT it. Report it.” and the S.P.O.T. action protocol, at the seminar.
In the coming months, the campaign will roll out across multiple locations, with refreshed public engagement posters displayed at public spaces by May 2026 and new anti-outrage of modesty messages on the public transport network in the second half of 2026. The SPF will also install mirror stickers in washrooms within and in the vicinity of nightspots in the fourth quarter of 2026 to encourage members of the public to stay alert and take action if they encounter an act of sexual crime.
From Awareness to Action
Building on the campaign, SMS Sim launched the S.P.O.T. action protocol to guide the public on what to do if one is a victim of sexual crime or know of someone who is . This practical framework empowers individuals to intervene safely and effectively:
• Spot it
• Protect the victim (and oneself)
• Observe key details
• Tell the Police
This simple set of actions seeks to transform the community from bystandership into active protectors, reinforcing the notion that we all have a role to play.
The effort will extend to schools as well, with the SPF continuing to partner with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to engage students through awareness talks, to familiarise them with the S.P.O.T. action protocol.
Strengthening Support for Victims
The seminar also featured presentations and a panel dialogue by key stakeholders including the MOE, SG Her Empowerment (SHE), the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and the Police Psychological Services Department (PPSD).
Beyond prevention, the SPF continues to enhance care and support for victims of sexual crime through various initiatives and collaborations with her stakeholders. At Police stations, a dedicated “Sexual Crime Report” option at self-service kiosks ensures victims are given privacy and priority when lodging reports.
At the One-Stop Abuse Forensic Examination (OneSAFE) Centre at the Police Cantonment Complex, victims can undergo interviews and forensic examinations in a single, safe environment – eliminating the need to travel between locations and reducing stress during an already difficult time.
For younger victims, Multi-Disciplinary Interviews conducted in partnership with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital help minimise re-traumatisation by streamlining the investigative process.
Support doesn’t end with investigations. Through collaborations with community partners such as Care Corner Project StART, PAVE and TRANS Family Services, victims can access longer-term counselling, ensuring they’re supported every step of the way.
Victims of certain serious sexual crimes may also be interviewed by Police officers in a safe, community-based setting at the SHECARES@SCWO Support Centre, in collaboration with SG Her Empowerment.
Protecting victims of sexual crime is a shared responsibility. As the SPF continues to strengthen victim support structures and work alongside the community, we all have a vital role to Spot, Protect, Observe and Tell, and to spread the campaign message: “Don’t be a Bystander! SPOT it. Report it.” in our respective roles and daily lives.
Read the Police News Release on the Sexual Crime Awareness Seminar 2026.
You may also refer to this SPF advisory page for more information.
