07/03/2022

Spate of Sexual Harassment

Woman shames catcaller who made kissy noises and told her, 'I wanna lick your p***y'

Enraged by a man she claims made a lewd and obscene remark to her in public, a Singaporean woman took to social media to shame the alleged offender. The woman, whose TikTok handle is n00tison, posted a video on March 2 where she reveals that a man catcalled her from inside his car while she was in Yio Chu Kang on the way to the gym.

She claims the man made kissy noises at her before saying: “I really like your tights man, I wanna lick your p***y.” “This man, this person, decided that he (wanted) to be an idiot today,” she said, pointing to a clear picture of a man inside his vehicle. She added that she plans to make a police report.

According to her, the man appeared shocked when she responded with “what the f**k did you just say?” He then corrected himself and said he merely thought she was beautiful, before driving off. His shocked response could mean that no one had stood up to him before, she said.



U do not get away w behaving like an idiot in 2022


Woman harassed by neighbour who tells her to "suck my c***": Police investigating

Aidah has since reported the incident to the police. In response to a Stomp query, the police confirmed a report was lodged and investigations are ongoing.

A Jurong West resident says she has been putting up with constant harassment from her next-door neighbour over the past two years. Stomper Aidah, who is a single mother of three, shared with Stomp a video of her neighbour hurling vulgar language at her as she was returning home on Jan 26 at about 7.20am.

In the video he is heard saying "suck my c***" as she opens her door to enter her unit. 
He repeats the phrase in Malay and in English again.


Single mother says neighbour has harassed her with vulgar words and pulled down his shorts

A Jurong West resident says she has been putting up with constant harassment from her next-door neighbour for years. Stomp user Aidah, who is a single mother of three, shared a video of her neighbour hurling vulgar language at her as she was returning home on Jan 26 at about 7.20am.

In the video he is heard saying "suck my c***" as she opens her door to enter her unit. He repeats the phrase in Malay and in English again.

"He also pulled down his shorts until his private parts and I just looked away," Aidah alleged. "As a woman, I feel disgusted by his act."


Foodpanda deliveryman allegedly asked woman if she was wearing bra and 'how much for short time'

She typically orders food to be delivered to her apartment three or four times a week.

But last Thursday night, the public relations manager, who wanted to be known only as Miss Qiao, 24, says she got more than she bargained for. The Foodpanda deliveryman not only entered her shared rental unit without permission, but he also sexually harassed her by asking her for sex, said her boyfriend Kenneth Ong.

Adding insult to injury, the man in his 20s then laughed nonchalantly when she screamed at him to leave, Mr Ong, 29, told The New Paper yesterday.


Woman allegedly harassed in Toa Payoh, offered $2 to wear bikini

A Singaporean woman had a bizarre and disturbing encounter in Toa Payoh on Sunday (Jan 23) when a man approached her and offered her money to don a bikini.

The woman was walking with her boyfriend and a male friend in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 around 2.30pm when the man walked up to her and waved $2 bills in the air, saying: “Wear bikini, I have money.” He appeared to be in his 30s or 40s, donned a cap, and wore his mask below his chin.

When the woman ignored him and walked away, the strange man strode alongside her for a while and persisted: “Got money. I give you la.” Later on, the man’s behaviour got even more bizarre when he shouted “Majulah Singapura!”, followed by a Hokkien expletive.


65-year-old divorcee who sent sexually explicit videos to young female subordinate fined $5,500

The general manager of an eyecare product firm sent two sexually explicit videos to a female subordinate who was 40 years younger than him.

The Singaporean divorcee was 65 years old at the time, while the woman was just 25, younger than his two adult children.

The man, now 68, was fined $5,500 on Tuesday (March 30) after he admitted to two counts of transmitting an obscene video via electronic means.


Managers at car rental firm exposed after sending explicit e-mails about women job seekers

A whistleblower has leaked on social media explicit e-mails sent by workshop managers at car rental firm Ethoz Group - exchanges which may be in contravention of regulations on employment practices.

The e-mails contain sexual innuendos about women who had applied for jobs at the firm. Some of the exchanges also included photos of the prospective candidates. In one e-mail, the writer said: "Young and pretty one, good. But I will bring her home for personal use soon to generate my energy, and I will show her my long lasting energy."

Another said in a different e-mail thread: "If not... can consider to bring her (potential girlfriend) home for his private use."


Man admits flashing private parts at woman, repeatedly harassing her on a train during peak hour

A man repeatedly harassed a stranger on the train and nudged her with his elbow, before flashing his private parts at her.

Even after he had alighted from the train, he turned on the escalator to face the victim and made a gesture that insulted her modesty.

Makesvaran Visuranatham, a 37-year-old Malaysian national, pleaded guilty to three charges of criminal force, intentionally exposing himself to obtain sexual gratification and insulting the modesty of the victim. A fourth charge will be considered in sentencing.


S’pore Woman Allegedly Cheated By Grab Driver Makes Racist Comments

Taking to social media to complain about unpleasant experiences isn’t uncommon, but some people may take things too far. This seemed to be the case for one Grab customer, who was accused of making racist remarks in several rants about her driver.

In a series of complaints on her Instagram stories, Ms Wong alleged that she had received unfair treatment after her driver charged a higher fare than what was quoted on the app. Sharp-eyed netizens who saw her stories noticed her use of racially insensitive language, and proceeded to call her out. Even famous local comedian Kumar had something to say.

In the process of calling out the Grab driver, Ms Wong pointed out the fact that he was Malay, before following up with a racially charged comment.
Bro I know you poor but don’t need to resort to lying and deceit.
She later claimed that the driver had insulted her too by calling her a “cheapo”, an accusation she described to be “libel”.


Woman makes racist comments about Grab driver who “swindled” her

Praise Wong (@reiwng_ on Instragram) posted a series of Instagram stories containing various racist remarks directed at her Grab driver, and the Malay community at large. These stories, as of 4.00pm on 5 March 2022, are still visible on her Instagram Highlights titled “GRAB & matt Saga”.

According to Praise, her grab driver, one Abdul Aziz Bin Ahtam, charge her an additional $7 from the listed price because the vehicle was a large one. She claimed that she took a GrabXL the day prior and she was not charged extra. In calling out her grab driver, she made some racist and incendiary remarks:
The rate grab quoted me was $13+ but the fucking malay driver (bro I know you poor but don’t need to resort to lying and deceit if you want me to tip you lmk?)
She went on to claim that the driver insulted her, and called her a “cheapo” when she informed the driver that she intends to dispute the charge. She characterised this remark as “libel” and said the man does not “deserve to earn this income”.


Man harassed married woman with lewd and threatening messages after she ended affair

When his lover ended her extramarital affair with him, Ritchie Richard Li Qingping harassed her with lewd and threatening messages.

Among other things, he sent a photo of her taken when they were intimate in a hotel room. The Singaporean, now 40, was fined $4,000 on Thursday (Sept 30) after he admitted to a harassment charge.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Goh Yong Ngee said although Li sent messages on WhatsApp, the 41-year-old woman did not block him as she was afraid he would look for her at her home or workplace. The prosecutor added: "As a result of her fear, she also quit her new job. The complainant was also concerned about an intimate video recorded while they were having an affair."


Youth, 17, arrested for sexually harassing women on 3 separate occasions in Pasir Ris

A 17-year-old youth has been arrested for his suspected involvement in three cases of sexual harassment that happened in Pasir Ris.

The police said in a statement that they received three separate reports of female victims who were harassed by an unknown youth between Aug 28 and 31.

Officers from Bedok Police Division established the identity of the youth and arrested him on Tuesday (Sep 1).


Police looking for woman involved in case of harassment by unlicensed moneylender

The police are looking for a woman to assist with investigations into a case of harassment by unlicensed moneylender reported at Block 637 Hougang Avenue 8 on January 9.

Anyone with information is requested to call the police hotline at 1800-255- 0000 or submit information online at www.police.gov.sg/iwitness.

All information will be kept strictly confidential.


Private-hire car driver, 20, escapes jail due to unusual harassment methods as 'kind' loan shark runner

A 20-year-old private-hire car driver who became a loan shark runner has escaped jail time due to his 'unusual' modus operandi and displaying empathy towards his victims.

According to Shin Min Daily News, Chen Yuxiang faced five charges for loan shark harassment of four households. The acts were committed from November 9, 2017, to January 9, 2018.

Court documents showed that the young defendant had a gambling addiction and started online betting in 2014. He borrowed from friends after losing money.


WFH hasn’t really reduced incidents of sexual harassment

The recent expose on Kenny Leck's misconduct against his former young female employees caused a stir among the local literary community.

Not that it’s any surprising that this type of unsavoury behaviour is still rampant despite the rise of the #MeToo movement. A recent survey by market research platform Milieu Insight found that about half of the respondents in Singapore have experienced sexual harassment of some sort at the workplace.

But does working from home mean that employees are greater removed from opportunities for harassment? According to the results of the survey, not really: only 17 per cent of them reported a decrease in incidents of offline sexual harassment.


Man's guilty plea for harassing SBS bus driver set aside
Nimal De Silva allegedly used vulgar language to abuse an SBS bus driver, and he filmed the incident and live-streamed it on Facebook.TNP PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

A man who had earlier pleaded guilty in a district court to a harassment charge after he live-streamed a confrontation with an SBS bus driver has had his plea set aside.

District Judge Chee Min Ping made the decision yesterday after Nimal De Silva's defence lawyer, Mr Luke Netto, disagreed with the prosecution's submissions that stated his client had used "racist and xenophobic" language on Mr Xu Bo, 55, a Chinese national.

Mr Netto told the court that the intention behind De Silva's comments to Mr Xu was not racist or xenophobic.


Covid-positive man allegedly harassed 2 people by coughing in their direction

A Covid-19-positive man accused of failing to wear a mask over his nose and mouth allegedly harassed two people by coughing in their direction.

Tamilselvam Ramaiya, 62, who appeared in a district court on Thursday (Dec 30), now faces two harassment charges and one charge under the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act.

The Singaporean allegedly committed the offences at a logistics office in Senoko Way around 10.30am on Oct 18.


More SCDF emergency responders getting harassed

The number of emergency responders from the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) who were harassed last year in the course of their duties was the highest in the past six years.

Twenty-nine verbal and physical harassment cases were reported last year, said SCDF in a release on Friday (Feb 4). This is up from 17 cases reported in 2020.

There were a total of 140 such cases, with an average of about 23 cases per year from 2016 to last year, SCDF said.


Probation for man who stalked two after they rejected his gift
Soon Xian Feng also admitted to an unrelated charge of entering a third victim's flat to steal $150.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

A man stalked two residents of a flat from February to July last year and committed acts such as leaving cigarette butts between the gate and the main door to their home.

Soon Xian Feng, 21, also threw eggs on the floor outside their unit and took down their Chinese New Year decorations.

The Singaporean, who committed the offences after the pair rejected his gift, was on Monday (Feb 7) sentenced to 18 months' probation.


Singaporean couple fined after harassing neighbours, including a nurse, amid Covid-19 outbreak

Instead of thanking their neighbour, a hospital nurse, for his contributions to society amid the Covid-19 outbreak, a couple harassed the front-liner and his family.

At the time of the offences, the nurse was working at Sengkang General Hospital. The Straits Times understands that his wife was also an essential service worker at the time. The Singaporean couple - Lim Sok Lay, 49, and her husband Cheang Eng Hock, 57 - pleaded guilty to their offences on Tuesday (Feb 8).

Cheang was fined $1,200 while his wife was fined $4,000. They had harassed their neighbours at an Edgefield Plains block of flats in Punggol.


Managers at car rental firm exposed for sending explicit e-mails about women job seekers

A whistleblower has leaked on social media explicit e-mails sent by workshop managers at car rental firm Ethoz Group - exchanges which may be in contravention of regulations on employment practices.

The e-mails contain sexual innuendos about women who had applied for jobs at the firm. Some of the exchanges also included the photos of the prospective candidates. In one e-mail, the writer said: "Young and pretty one, good. But I will bring her home for personal use soon to generate my energy, and I will show her my long lasting energy."

Another said in a different e-mail thread: "If not... can consider to bring her (potential girlfriend) home for his private use."


Man fined for harassing, threatening to beat safe distancing ambassadors when told to put on mask

Angered by two safe distancing ambassadors at Bukit Merah View Market and Hawker Centre who told him to put on a mask, a 39-year-old man yelled profanities at them and pushed one of them.

Muhammad Zaid Ariffin also threatened to beat them up when they told him they were just doing their jobs. On Tuesday (March 1), Muhammad Zaid, a forklift driver, was fined $6,000 after he pleaded guilty to four charges related to harassment, criminal intimidation and failing to wear a mask.

One other harassment charge in which Muhammad Zaid flicked one of the victim's lanyards at him was taken into consideration in his sentencing.


Couple fined for harassing nurse neighbour by shouting 'COVID spreader', spraying disinfectant

A man and his wife were fined on Tuesday (Feb 8) for harassing their neighbours, one of whom was then a nurse at Sengkang General Hospital.

Cheang Eng Hock, 57, and Lim Sok Lay, 48, shouted "COVID", "COVID spreader", "virus" and "virus family" at their neighbours and sprayed disinfectant towards their flat in Punggol between May 13 and May 15, 2020.

Cheang was fined S$1,200 for one charge of harassing his neighbours. Another charge was taken into consideration for sentencing. Lim was fined a total of S$4,000 for her four charges, with a two-week remand at the Institute of Mental Health taken into account. Four other charges were taken into consideration.


Hawker and son fined for cursing at safe-distancing ambassadors over mask, sitting on marked seat

A hawker and his son were fined S$3,000 each for cursing at officers who were enforcing safe-distancing measures, after the hawker was spotted sitting on a marked seat in front of his stall, with his mask pulled down.

Seah Kian Huat, 64, and his son Roger Seah Hong Chiat, 40, were handed the fines on Monday (Nov 22).

They pleaded guilty to a charge each under the Protection from Harassment Act of using abusive words towards a public servant, with a second related charge each taken into consideration.


SCDF reports highest number of harassment cases in last six years

Emergency responders were kicked and punched in their line of duty in 2021, with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) reporting the highest number of harassment cases in the last six years.

The force said on Friday (Feb 4) that it encountered 29 cases of verbal and/or physical harassment in the course of its duties last year. “With an increase of 12 reported harassment cases from 2020 to 2021, SCDF is looking at a total of 140 such cases with an average of about 23 cases per year from 2016 to 2021,” it said.

Three cases in 2021 were highlighted by the force:
  • On Apr 25 last year, a patient hurled vulgarities at an ambulance crew member and pointed his middle finger at another. He was imprisoned for a month and three days.
  • In May last year, a patient shouted at the ambulance crew and kicked one of them in the stomach, kicked another crew member in the leg, and scratched the arm of a third crew member. The patient was sentenced to five months and one week in jail.
  • Another patient on Oct 2 last year became hostile, hurled vulgarities at the ambulance crew, and punched a crew member’s face. The patient was imprisoned for four months, two weeks and three days.


Sexual harassment at work: How to spot red flags and where you can seek help
Women often doubt their "gut" feelings when they experience sexual harassment at work and tend to brush aside their feelings of unease. (Photo: iStock/baona)

When it comes to sexual harassment in the workplace, incidents that appear to be harmless can amount to something more sinister:
  • If your male colleague frequently calls you "beautiful" or "sexy", is he just being friendly?
  • If your boss is all touchy-feely with you – and only you – is that inappropriate?
  • If a senior colleague repeatedly asks you out but you're not interested, can you say no without creating a bad impression?

For women at the receiving end of such behaviour, the biggest question they might be asking themselves is: Am I thinking too much – or is there more than meets the eye?

According to a joint survey released in January this year by AWARE and market research company Ipsos, two in five workers in Singapore reported encountering workplace sexual harassment in the past five years. These ranged from incidents such as unwelcome touches to receiving remarks about their appearance.


CHARACTERISTICS & DEFINITIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual harassment is defined as offensive, unwanted and unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature. Harmless flirting between consensual parties is NOT sexual harassment. However, when the feelings are no longer mutual and one party persists even though the other party makes it clear that he or she is no longer interested, the other party may be deemed to have crossed the line.

Workplace sexual harassment is not limited to the confines of an office environment. Any misconduct during a work-related activity such as a company function, corporate event, team-building exercise, or out-of-town business trip can constitute sexual harassment.

The harassers need not necessarily be colleagues at work; they can be clients, suppliers, or peers from outside the company. AWARE’s 2008 Research Study on Workplace Sexual Harassment found that 20% of sexual harassment incidents occurred outside the office but during work-related businesses activities like office parties, lunch outings, client entertainment or team-building events.


What is cyberstalking? How to spot the red flags and what you should do to protect yourself
Cyberstalking has the same intent as physical forms of stalking – to cause unease, fear or downright misery. (Photo: iStock/SB Arts Media)

Imagine the scenario: A woman broke up with her boyfriend and just wanted to move on with her life. But her ex refused to let matters rest and, over the next few years, set about harassing her with phone calls and text messages, even badgering her friends.

He also created multiple social media accounts to stalk her, keeping close tabs on everything she did, where she went and who she was with. Photos that she posted on Facebook started circulating on other social media platforms among strangers.

Then one day, her ex showed up on her doorstep demanding to talk. They argued, and he hit her. She made a police report, but was so afraid to step out of her home that she had to go on unpaid leave.

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Guide to Singapore’s Protection from Harassment Act (POHA)

The Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), which entered into force in November 2014, seeks to protect people from being targets of harassment or stalking, whether online or in real life. It does so by making it a criminal offence to engage in various harassing acts. Victims of harassment in Singapore also have the option of suing their harasser for compensation in the Protection from Harassment Courts (PHC).

Offences Covered under the POHA in Singapore:
  • Causing harassment, alarm and distress
  • Causing fear or provocation of violence
  • Unlawful stalking
  • Doxxing


6 TYPES OF HARASSMENT UNDER SINGAPORE LAW

Harassment in Singapore is governed by the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), which was set in force in 2014. It provides protection against multiple forms of harassment, both online and in real life. The act is regularly revised and expanded to cover new forms of harassment, such as doxing.

Harassment is a criminal offence under Singapore law and is punishable with a jail term, fine, or both. Different from assault, harassment generally refers to the non-physical forms of harm or intimidation.

It’s important to note that both individuals and entities (such as companies or associations) can be found guilty of harassment. Sections 3-7 of the POHA define what counts as harassment under Singapore law, which includes:
  • Intentionally harassing, alarming or causing distress to another party
  • Behaving in ways that are likely to cause alarm or distress to another party, even when there is no intention to do so
  • Instilling fear through provocation of violence
  • Insulting or behaving in an indecent, abusive or threatening manner toward public officials or public service workers
  • Unlawful stalking
  • Doxxing

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