SINGAPORE: Six men will be charged for their alleged involvement in separate cases of child sexual exploitation, including engaging a minor for sex and possessing child sexual abuse material.

The men, aged between 22 and 41, were arrested by the specialised crime branch of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the police in a statement on Thursday (May 22).

They are expected to be charged in court on May 23.

Among them is a 37-year-old man who allegedly engaged a young female victim for sex and performed sexual acts on her after befriending her online.

He was arrested on March 25, and will be charged with one count of commercial sex with a minor under 18 and one count of communicating with a minor under 18 for the purpose of obtaining sexual services.

Separately, on July 5, 2024, a 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly engaging a young female victim for commercial sex.

He had also made contact with the minor online and later performed penetrative sexual acts on her.

He will be charged with eight counts of sexual penetration of a minor under 16.

In another case, a 22-year-old man was arrested on March 5, 2024, for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material and obscene films in his mobile phone and computer.

He will be charged with one count of possession of child abuse material and one count of possession of obscene films.

The police also arrested a 30-year-old man, a 41-year-old man and a 35-year-old man on March 14, 2023, March 22, 2023 and March 18, 2024 respectively for allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material on their mobile phones, storage devices and computers.

They will each be charged with one count of possession of child abuse material.

“The police take a serious view of child sexual exploitation and abuse and will spare no effort to protect children from such harm,” said the police.

Anyone found guilty of having sex with a minor between the ages of 14 and 16 may face a jail term of up to 10 years, and a fine or caning.

Those found guilty of obtaining the sexual services of someone below the age of 18, may be jailed for up to seven years, fined, or both.

If convicted of possessing or gaining access to child abuse material, a person may face a jail term of up to five years, and a fine or caning.

Those who possess any obscene films may be jailed for up to six months, fined up to S$20,000 or both. - The Straits Times/ANN