The father of a 15-year-old girl who was sexually abused by former Mediacorp actor Ian Fang has voiced his outrage over the 40-month prison sentence given to Fang, deeming it an insufficient response to the trauma inflicted on his daughter. He believes that the punishment fails to reflect the severity of the crimes that have left a lasting impact on their family.
A Father’s Anguish
In heartfelt interviews following Fang’s sentencing in May 2025, the victim’s father expressed his deep-seated anger towards the man who shattered their trust. “I wish I could share a cell with him, to see his face every day and ensure he doesn’t wake up,” he stated, labeling Fang a “devil” and indicating he would willingly serve time in prison just to confront his daughter’s abuser regularly.
His fury is not solely directed at the act of abuse but also at the calculated manipulation Fang employed. “He exploited his position as a teacher and took advantage of my daughter, who admired him because of his celebrity status,” the father explained, highlighting how Fang used his fame to prey on a vulnerable teenager.
Betrayal of Trust
The situation is particularly painful for the family because Fang was not a stranger; he was someone they considered a friend. The former actor had developed a rapport with the girl’s parents after meeting them at an event, leading to dinners and what they believed was a genuine friendship. “We shared drinks and laughter. He called me ‘bro,’ and yet behind my back, he was abusing my daughter,” the father recounted.
Fang’s deception was so thorough that he would instruct the girl to “play along” when in the presence of her parents, maintaining a facade of normalcy. “He would meet us and act as if nothing had happened,” the father said. “We were completely unaware. He deserves an Oscar for his performance.”
The Discovery and Its Consequences
The truth came to light when the teenager sought medical treatment for a sexually transmitted infection contracted from Fang. Even then, she hesitated to disclose the identity of her abuser. “My wife had to tell her, ‘You need to reveal who did this, or I won’t cover your medical expenses,’” the father shared.
Upon learning Fang’s identity in August 2024, the father’s initial reaction was one of violence. “I know where he lives… You want to take matters into your own hands when something like this happens to your family,” he admitted, revealing that he contemplated confronting Fang directly. Only his wife’s intervention prevented him from acting on these impulses.
The family’s distress was further exacerbated by Fang’s behavior after being instructed by authorities not to contact the victim. Despite these orders, he continued to harass her with late-night phone calls. “Every night, around midnight to 2 a.m., the phone wouldn’t stop ringing,” the father recalled. When one number was blocked, Fang would call from another, sometimes playing love songs or crying on the line.
Lasting Effects on the Victim
The abuse has left deep scars on the teenage victim, who was diagnosed with adjustment disorder and spent nearly a week hospitalized at the Institute of Mental Health in August 2024. In her victim impact statement, she expressed feelings of dependency on Fang, believing that “the only way to keep him close was through sex.” The trauma has affected her life significantly, instilling fear of middle-aged men and distrust in relationships.
“She’s improving, but it’s a slow process,” her father noted. “There’s always that lingering thought in her mind; she will carry this trauma for life.”
Calls for Stricter Sentencing
The family is profoundly dissatisfied with Fang’s 40-month sentence, particularly the absence of caning. “He has marked my daughter for life. Let him learn from this,” the father insisted. “Every time he undresses, people should see the consequences of his actions.”
When the victim learned of the sentence, she questioned her mother, “Why is the punishment so lenient? What if he comes back to harm me after his release?” The family views the sentence as inadequate and unacceptable.
Pursuing Civil Action
Dissatisfied with the criminal justice outcome, the family plans to pursue civil action against Fang. Their lawyer, Richard Siaw, confirmed that they intend to seek compensation for the harm inflicted on the victim, aiming for justice beyond the criminal sentence.
However, the father emphasized that financial gain is not their motivation. “I won’t take a single cent from him. All of it will go to charity,” he stated. “I want him to learn a lesson, and we are suing because there is no caning.”
The family has also decided to send their daughter abroad for her studies, hoping to provide her with a fresh start away from the trauma associated with Singapore.
A Family Forever Changed
This ordeal has irrevocably altered the family dynamic. Parents who once trusted their daughter completely now monitor her movements with tracking apps, grappling with the lies and secrecy that allowed the abuse to persist. “We always trusted her completely. We had no idea she was seeing him,” the father explained. “We are doing everything we can to help her find happiness again.”