A 38-year-old man in Singapore has been sentenced to 21 years in jail and 16 strokes of the cane for raping and sexually exploiting his 13-year-old niece over a period of nearly two years. The man, whose identity has not been reported to protect the victim's anonymity, pleaded guilty to six charges, including statutory rape and sexual assault.
Abuse began after birthday outing
The abuse started when the victim was 13, after her uncle took her out to celebrate her birthday with a motorcycle ride. After she expressed enjoyment of the outing, he took her out to eat several days later. The victim later confided in her uncle that she had been sexually touched by an ex-boyfriend, which authorities say led to the uncle molesting her, asking if that was what her ex-boyfriend had done.
From October 2022, the pair considered themselves a couple, exchanging romantic messages and engaging in sexual acts, according to Channel News Asia.
Alcohol and threats used in abuse
The perpetrator, who lived with his grandmother until she died, would give the young girl alcohol while raping her. During a school holiday, the victim received permission to sleep over at her uncle's house. When the grandmother died around the same time, the pair were alone in the house and engaged in sexual acts regularly.
In 2023, the victim went on a staycation with her uncle, where he brought alcohol and toys, and they had sex at a hotel. The following year, the teenager started dating a schoolmate and reduced her visits to her uncle. He allegedly blackmailed her, threatening that she must continue engaging in sexual acts if she wanted to remain with her boyfriend.
Victim reported abuse to teacher
He also threatened to leak nude photographs and videos of her if she did not break up with her boyfriend, saying he would publish them on a pornographic website, send them to her friend, and post them on Telegram. The victim attempted to end the relationship eight times, but he would guilt-trip her by saying he was depressed and wanted to end his life.
On August 6, 2024, the girl told a teacher about the abuse. The matter was reported to Child Protection Services under the Ministry of Social and Family Development, and a police report was filed. The man was arrested the following day.
Prosecutor condemns abuse of trust
Deputy Public Prosecutor Chin Jincheng said the uncle had violated the trust of the teenager's parents, robbed his niece of her innocence, and abused his position of authority. He added that the 38-year-old emotionally manipulated the victim by refusing to let her end the "perverse relationship".
