SINGAPORE

In a scandal rocking the legal community, comments made by the vice-president of the Law Society of Singapore, Mr. Chia Boon Teck, regarding a rape survivor have drawn intense backlash. Law Minister K. Shanmugam has publicly condemned these remarks, implying they misrepresent Singapore's stance on sexual assault.

Mr. Shanmugam expressed surprise at Mr. Chia’s LinkedIn post, which he later deleted. In it, he commented on the High Court case of Lev Panfilov, who was convicted for raping a woman he met through the dating app Tinder. Among his controversial remarks, Mr. Chia suggested that the victim, a 30-year-old woman, was not inexperienced, saying she was 'not exactly a babe in the woods' and questioning whether she was 'awake during this marathon'—a reference to the assault.

The Law Minister emphasized that Mr. Chia's statements implied a lack of credibility for the victim, a dangerous narrative that could discourage other survivors from coming forward. 'Philosophically, I take a quite different view from those expressed by Mr Chia,' Shanmugam stated in a Facebook post. He highlighted significant legal reforms in Singapore aimed at protecting sexual assault victims, such as the repeal of outdated laws that penalized victims based on their sexual history.

'Too often, victims remain silent. We need to support them and create an environment where they feel safe to report,' he added, indicating a societal responsibility to reject victim-blaming attitudes.

Panfilov was convicted on March 21 on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault, and Mr. Chia's comments have since incited a storm of criticism within the legal community. Prominent lawyers, including Mr. Edward Tay, have demanded accountability, stating that casting doubt on a victim's account undermines the judicial process. 'We should avoid such irresponsible comments, as they propagate distrust,' Tay said.

Legal professionals reacted strongly, with Ms. Stefanie Yuen-Thio suggesting that Mr. Chia should resign if he cannot provide an adequate explanation for his statements. She emphasized the necessity for a strong stance against victim shaming, supporting recent judicial views expressed by the Chief Justice against perpetuating rape myths.

Following the uproar, the Law Society of Singapore announced it would thoroughly review the matter, ensuring that all members uphold the highest standards of professionalism. 'Mr. Chia's comments do not reflect the views of the Law Society,' it stated, hinting at possible disciplinary actions.

In a last-minute defense, Mr. Chia claimed his intention was to raise awareness about situational risks, but many viewed this as a misguided justification for his initial remarks, especially given the gravity of Panfilov's conviction.

The case surrounding Lev Panfilov is a grim reminder of the serious issues surrounding sexual violence. He met the victim, a former actress, at a restaurant after matching on Tinder. What started as a meeting to discuss her writing aspirations took a devastating turn when he assaulted her in his apartment.

Rape and sexual violence remain pressing societal issues, underscoring the need for continual progress in legal protections for victims and the importance of cultural shifts to dismantle harmful narratives surrounding sexual assault.

As the discussion unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the backlash will lead to tangible changes in both legal practices and societal attitudes towards victims of sexual violence in Singapore. The legal community is poised to make a crucial stand, as silence in the wake of such egregious comments could be seen as complicity in further victimization.