Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2015
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2014 (or 2015) | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Singapore | |
| |
| Enacted by | Parliament of Singapore |
| Enacted | 3 November 2014 |
| Assented to | 12 December 2014 |
| Commenced | 1 March 2015 |
| Status: In force | |
The Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2015 (PHTA) is a statute of the Parliament of Singapore that criminalizes Trafficking-In-Persons (TIP) especially vulnerable individuals. The law is designed specifically to make acts of knowingly receiving payment in connection with the exploitation of a trafficked victim a criminal offence.
Objective
The Prevention of Human Trafficking Act 2015, in Singapore, aims to stop all forms of human trafficking and punish the perpetrators. This act focuses on protecting people from being forced into work, sex trade, or organ trade through threats, lies, or abuse. The law also ensures that victims are treated with care and not as criminals. It provides support, such as shelter, medical assistance, and legal aid, to help victims recover. The Act applies to both local and foreign offenders and it also covers crimes committed overseas by Singapore citizens or permanent residents.[1]
Explanation
The PHTA is an Act to deter trafficking-in-persons and supports the rehabilitation of trafficked victims, especially vulnerable individuals. The PHTA firstly provides enforcement of severe penalties that criminalizes any individual that receives monetary compensation that arises from the exploitation of a victim that is trafficked, especially women and children.[2]
The PHTA also caters for the well-being of trafficked victims and encourages the reporting of trafficking or suspected trafficking activity.[3]
Scope of punishment
Section 4,5,6 and 9 explain the scope of punishment in this act.
Section 4(1): Under this Act, anyone found guilty of recruiting, harbouring or conveying a child below the age of 18 for the purpose of exploitation, whether abroad or not, is liable to a maximum penalty of imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $100,000 and caning of up to six strokes.[1]
