Where forth art thou?: Singapore "HDB Schoolgirl" Video case: Criminal or Civil?

Thursday, June 22, 2006

Singapore "HDB Schoolgirl" Video case: Criminal or Civil?

The discussion is still on - Did the girls involved in the Singapore HDB Staircase/Stairway Video commit a criminal offence or was it just a civil wrong? Can the girls still be taken to task if the schoolgirl felt that she deserved it and does not want to take any legal actions?

Comments from lawyers or law students would be especially helpful.

Another interesting perspective: Would the case be treated/handled differently if the culprits involved were guys instead of girls? Is Singapore too lenient towards girls? Even girls who kick another person's head as if she were kicking a soccer ball/football in the FIFA world cup 2006 finals?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I refer to the report in The New Paper, Wednesday, 21 Jun 2006 Page 11.

Quote: "Lawyer Amolat Singh said: "For the police to investigate any matter, they require what is known as a first information report, or FIR."

"The FIR is essential as it forms the basis of a police investigation and quells any speculation the we are a police state, where the authorities will simply step in to investigate without a complainant."

Anonymous said...

mesothelioma lawyers

Anonymous said...

So if the schoolgirl in the video dies, then nobody makes a complaint then what? lawyers cant work unless police do their jobs first

xialanxue said...

what is mesothelioma?

Anonymous said...

I think its total craps. The law is suppose to protect us isit not? The crap abt no report hence no investigation is crap by itself. Citing from example, wat abt the law against sexual activities wth minors under 16. Both parties r definitely willing but yet the law forbids such acts. How abt the thing abt murder, if the person is dead, i doubt the victim is gonna report it as well, but y does the police still investigate. Going by their sense of logic in response to this case, murder of any individual is alright as long as they r loner who has no frens/families. This is bull n we all know it

Anonymous said...

Which one is worse: this, or not paying for your parking ticket?

Anonymous said...

That girl gave a comdom to another girl's boyfriend indicating she wants to have sex with the boy, so obviously is the victim's fault first.

If that was a couple of tight slaps in the face, then i would say it is pretty much justified, and i would say she deserved it.

However this was not the case. They not just slapped her, they kicked her, stripped her and record it on a video. This is obviously an intention to humiliate her. This is by far too much.

You can't get someone else to rape her mum because she stole your book, can you?

Criminal case, definately. Throw those god damn kok-sucker into the girls school.

xialanxue said...

you do mean girls' home right?

Anonymous said...

erm... let me add juz a short piece..

The arguement was over a video.

No one stood forward as victim. can't be sure if it's fake.(early stage)No reason for investigation, i think.

The actual video was a beating by 3/4 girls. i think i read somewhere that this a civil suit.No case if victim refuse to pursue and even in this case, Victim or anyone must step forward to report which i think police will try to contact the victim afterwards to get the details.(whether any criminal offence had been committed)

As for the mentioning of video taping of act of murder, that totally rubbish. Murder is a criminal offence and it will be investigate. dun try to put that into this video. It's like comparing apple and durian. You eat apple with skin they say it's great but you dun go around chew durian shell.... ya?

Anonymous said...

If someone got raped, and no one stood forward as victim, can't be sure if it's fake.(early stage)No reason for investigation.

Anonymous said...

Yeap, girls' home. And i need to brush up my language

Nurul Izzati Izzie said...

wenjun; my mate; you are fierce!!

Anyway, I think it's both a case of criminal offense and civil wrong


Unless the law serves just to undermine the least represented -_-""

kungfubunny said...

i think the bottom line is that we need to be more flexible with "crime fighting". our legal system has been criticised for being good at upholding the law, but not at bringing justice. i read this critique recently, the source of which eludes me now.

Anonymous said...

sorry... just to reply the piece that replied after i did...
i'm the person who who replied on Fri Jun 23, 12:53:27 AM 2006...

Just to inform you.... rape is a criminal offence... investigation would be carried out...

(criminal or civil? wats the diff?)
Well the culprit in a criminal case would be investigated and charged even if victim do not wish to pursue the matter. The culprit in a civil case would not be charged if victim does not wish to pursue, unless AGC sanction so.

Please dun compare rape to this..You should know the difference... and before you start comparing it to broken bones and stuff like that.... try to know the difference between voluntarily casuing hurt and voluntarily causing grevious hurt....ahhhh.. there's a difference there....

Anonymous said...

Someone correct me if I'm wrong..

But stripping the girl is equal to sexual molestation.

Isn't sexual assault in any case a crime?