Should rapists above the age of 50 be exempt from caning?

A suggestion by President Halimah Yacob to allow the caning of rapists above the age of 50 has generated heated debate online. Lawyers interviewed by TODAY have said that doing so may not deter such culprits, with one suggesting that it may be better to explore having chemical castration as a sentencing option. 

Many TODAY readers supported Mdm Halimah’s call, while others were in favour of a more measured approach, including alternative forms of punishment such as chemical castration.

There is an urgency to change the law to deter more paedophiles from committing sexual assaults on minors in their own homes. FAITH SUN

If you want to misbehave, and your skin is thick enough to commit such offences, then your skin is thick enough to take the strokes. KAREN FU

If they are fit to commit crimes then surely they can take the caning, whether at 70 or 90 years old. ROS LEONG

The victims are not exempted from harm and have to suffer the consequences of these attacks for life, while the assailants can have special exemptions. Why are they more protected than the victims? DARYL LIM

Males in their 50s are still capable of overpowering someone. Why exempt them from punishment? TAN ILAGAN

Human rights should be automatically forfeited for certain crimes with long lasting impact… Stop valuing criminal lives above those of the victims. AMY LAW

Support. Especially for fathers who sexually abuse their own children! That is the greatest betrayal of trust. DIANA GIAM

I agree with caning rapists regardless of age until chemical castration is introduced as the latest punishment. To me, both types of punishments should be valid. UMMI RAMLI

Replace caning with mandatory chemical castration… and I would also push for the list of offenders to be made public. DAMIEN CHEW

Don’t only look at the punishment, think about how some of these cases may have been prevented. Punishment is too late for the victim who will carry the trauma for life. Even 1,000 strokes on the criminal will not change that fact. Many of the cases have similar demographics — unstable income groups with criminal history, big families living in rental flats, divorcees with young female children living with stepfathers, etc. The Ministry of Social and Family Development can pay more attention to the vulnerable by conducting ad hoc house visits. BROWN WONG

In addition to their libido, and being physically able to offend, what other factors cause them to commit the crime? What is to prevent them from using an object or committing other forms of sexual abuse. Is it a lack of respect for women? Hatred? Is there a need to better educate boys and men? I am pretty sure that these crimes are under-reported due to fear and so-called “maintaining family respect and honour”. AGNES R PEREIRA

As a Singaporean, I disagree. We are moving backwards. Please move forward with human rights. Please stop enhancing violent punishment. LIANG AH

Just sentence elderly rapists to longer jail terms, maybe 10-20 years, but do not cane them. WONG YKING

Caning the rapist will not take away the pain, suffering and trauma the victim has to endure… Avenging a wrong in the name of justice does nothing for the victim. As bystanders, yes, we feel disgust and want the worst for the rapist. But this only satisfies our bloodlust, not the victim's pain. It would help if the rapist cannot repeat the violent act, thus chemical castration is best. Caning is not a good enough deterrent. IGGY MICKY

I’m not against caning rapists, but what if due to the age of the rapist, the injury caused by caning takes his life? Isn’t that excessive in the word of the law? Do we want to have law and punishment meted out in a just manner or driven by emotion and ecstasy to see one punished? 卫斯理

These comments were first posted on TODAY’s Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length. If you have views on this issue or a news topic you care about, send a letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.