A 50-year-old man was sentenced to 18 years in jail on Tuesday (27 June) for assaulting and raping his 10-year-old stepdaughter, he had pleaded guilty to a count of rape and another count of assault by penetration, with 3 other charges being considered during his sentencing.
The abhorrent acts continued even after his wife was released from prison, as he took advantage of the child while her mother was asleep.
The man, whose identity remains undisclosed for legal reasons, married the victim’s mother in Batam before the family relocated to a flat in Singapore in September 2017.
Tragically, just weeks after their move, the victim’s mother was sentenced to a 14-week jail term, the reasons for which were not revealed in court documents. It was during this vulnerable period that the offender began his heinous acts against his stepdaughter.
Taking advantage of the absence of the victim’s mother, the 50-year-old man initiated his assault of his 10-year-old stepdaughter. When the young girl resisted both physically and verbally, he threatened her with further acts of violence if she revealed what he did to anyone.
Despite her attempts to fend him off, she was overpowered by the man, who was larger and stronger than her, leading to her enduring unimaginable pain and suffering.
The assault persisted from 2017 to 2020, even after the victim’s mother returned home. Frightened by her stepfather’s threats, the victim remained silent, trapped in a cycle of fear and manipulation. Her stepfather’s actions robbed her of her innocence, leaving her emotionally scarred and deeply traumatized.
The crimes came to light in October 2021, when an unrelated incident prompted the victim’s mother to contact the police. Through investigations into the matter, the offenses were exposed.
Confronted by his wife, the offender initially denied the allegations but eventually confessed. In an attempt to avoid legal repercussions, he offered the victim a monthly sum of S$500 and apologized, pleading with them not to report the crimes to the police.
The victim shared the extent of her suffering during consultations with a doctor at a Child Guidance Clinic.
She disclosed having thoughts of self harm since 2017 and revealed her aversion to the traumatic experiences she endured.
Recurrent flashbacks, anxiety, and hyperawareness of men in public spaces plagued her. The victim’s emotional well-being had been shattered, and she carried feelings of anger for not disclosing what happened to her earlier.