59 child sex trafficking cases investigated over five years, 27 resulted in convictions

In a series of parliamentary questions filed on 4 November 2025, Workers' Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Andre Low Wu Yang sought updates on Singapore’s efforts to tackle child trafficking and prevent illegal adoptions.

He asked the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs about the number of child trafficking and illegal adoption cases investigated by the Singapore Police Force over the past five years.

He also inquired about prosecutions and convictions arising from these investigations.

59 child sex trafficking investigations; 27 convictions

Responding in writing, Minister K Shanmugam stated that between 2020 and 2024, the Singapore Police Force investigated 59 alleged cases of child sex trafficking involving individuals under the age of 18.

These investigations were carried out under various laws including the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (PHTA), the Penal Code, the Women’s Charter, and the Children and Young Persons Act.

Of the 59 cases, 34 were prosecuted. Among these, 27 resulted in convictions, while seven cases remain pending or are currently before the courts.

The remaining 25 cases were either still under investigation, concluded with warnings or composition fines, or closed with no further action taken against the suspects.

Minister Shanmugam clarified that no cases of child labour trafficking were reported during this period. Furthermore, there were no known instances of trafficked children being adopted under the Adoption of Children Act 2022.

No reported illegal adoptions under new legislation

The Adoption of Children Act 2022 was introduced to strengthen safeguards in the adoption process and to align Singapore's adoption practices with international standards. According to Minister Shanmugam, there were no reported cases involving trafficked children under this legislation over the last five years.

ASEAN efforts and domestic safeguards

In a separate question, Andre Low asked the Minister for Social and Family Development about regional cooperation, particularly within ASEAN, to prevent child trafficking in inter-country adoptions.

Minister Masagos Zulkifli responded in his written reply that ASEAN member states have implemented various frameworks targeting child trafficking in general and in the context of adoption.

These include the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence Against Children (2016–2025), which supports the establishment of extraterritorial jurisdiction over trafficking and related offences.

The Minister also referenced the 2015 ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which outlines the '4Ps' strategy – prevention, prosecution, protection, and partnership – as a core regional approach.

Legal checks in adoption processes

Domestically, Singapore has implemented robust checks within the inter-country adoption process.

According to Minister Masagos, these include verifying the identity and travel documents of children, checking with biological parents to confirm valid consent, and ensuring that children are not being offered for adoption in exchange for material or financial gain.

He reiterated that the adoption process in Singapore not only addresses child trafficking risks but includes proactive measures to deter such criminal activity.

“Together with our criminal laws, these safeguards work to prevent and deter the various forms of child trafficking,” he stated.

The Minister added that Singapore maintains close cooperation with ASEAN counterparts and domestic agencies to address any allegations of trafficking, and will provide appropriate assistance in line with existing legal frameworks.