S’pore nightspots can do more to stop the grab and grope

SINGAPORE: She was dancing on a podium in a club in July when a man below groped her legs and buttocks.

Cara (not her real name), a university student, tried moving away but he kept inching closer.

“I felt very violated and uncomfortable,” said the 20-year-old, who added that she felt helpless at that moment. “It was hard to call for help, especially as I was alone.”

She did not report the case, considering it a “minor issue”.

This may be a reason that some choose not to report outrage of modesty, said experts, who added that nightspots can also do more to help prevent such incidents.

While sexual assault, including molestation, is known to be under-reported, police statistics from the first half of this year showed more reports of such crime occurring at entertainment nightspots.

There were 52 cases from January to June, up from 44 cases in the same period last year.

Overall, the number of outrage of modesty cases increased from 655 to 717 over the same period.

Meanwhile, the Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) run by the Association of Women for Action and Research saw 63 cases of physical sexual harassment from January to June. In this period last year, the SACC handled 38 such cases.

Experts say the increase in the number of cases is a sign that more women are coming forward, and yet it could still be the tip of the iceberg.

“Even though such behaviour is highly disrespectful and unwanted, many survivors may feel they have to minimise it or brush it off because they believe others will not support them in taking it seriously, or may even question them about their own actions,” said SACC manager Anisha Joseph.

Clinical psychologist Jeanie Chu of the Resilienz Clinic said: “More often than not, victims do not seek psychiatric or psychological treatment, or even report such cases.”

They may deem the cases as “trivial”, or fail to realise that their encounter could be considered an outrage of modesty.

Experts agreed that nightspots have an important role to play in preventing such incidents.

“Nightspots have a responsibility to ensure their premises are safe ... by training security and bar staff to step in or alert management should they witness an assault,” said Joseph.

“Displaying posters and helpful resources that combat sexual assault can send a clear message that an establishment does not tolerate it, and empowers victims and bystanders to speak up.” — The Straits Times/Asia News Network