A mother was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for concealing her son’s sexual abuse and rape of his sister over seven years. The woman, aged 45, pleaded guilty in January to three charges, including omitting information about criminal offences and knowingly permitting the ill-treatment of a child. The court heard that the woman’s son had committed sexual offences against his sister from 2010 to 2017, and the woman failed to report the incidents to the police. The names of the victim and the mother cannot be published due to a court order to protect the victim’s identity.
The woman’s son was sentenced to 11-and-a-half years’ jail and seven strokes of the cane in 2020 for the statutory rape and molest of his sister. The court heard that Japanese pornographic cartoons featuring incest led him to think that it was all right to have sex with his sister, reported Today.
The woman’s failure to protect her daughter from her son’s sexual abuse has left consequences for the girl for the rest of her life. The judge said that the mother had a “unique position of both authority and responsibility” and “failed completely” in her parental duties to educate her son on what was right and wrong and to protect her daughter from risk of further sexual abuse.
The woman’s mental condition, diagnosed after the offences occurred, had no contributory link to her offences, and the judge gave “little weight” to it. The law imposes an obligation on those who have the custody or care of a child to protect them from ill-treatment, as their young age leaves children vulnerable and unable to defend themselves.
The woman’s offences were representative of “a parent’s failure” to protect her young child from sexual abuse, and she had failed to nip such criminal offending in the bud despite having reason to believe that her son was sexually abusing his sister from as early as 2010. The judge urged the woman to move forward together with the victim upon her release from prison.
The maximum penalty for knowingly permitting the ill-treatment of a child is four years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to S$4,000, while the maximum penalty for intentionally omitting to give information about an offence is six months’ imprisonment and a fine.
The judge’s sentencing remarks emphasize the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, particularly when it comes to protecting vulnerable members of society. The mother’s mental health condition was given little weight in her sentencing, as it did not have a contributory link to her offences. This highlights the principle that mental health conditions do not absolve individuals of their responsibility to uphold the law and protect those in their care.
Furthermore, the use of pornographic materials featuring incest as a justification for the son’s sexual offences highlights the impact that explicit content can have on vulnerable individuals. It is crucial to recognize the potential harm that such materials can cause and take appropriate measures to prevent access to them, particularly for minors.
In conclusion, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse and the critical role that parents and caregivers play in ensuring their safety. It also highlights the need to recognize the potential harm that explicit content can cause and take appropriate measures to prevent access to them. The sentence imposed on the mother reflects the seriousness of her offences and serves as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar behaviour.