Yale-NUS College recognises that sexual misconduct can occur between individuals of any gender identity and/or sexual orientation, and does not discriminate in the provision of services and support. Sexual misconduct includes but is not limited to behaviours often referred to as sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, sexual exploitation, sex and/or gender discrimination, and intimate partner violence.
Sexual misconduct not only creates a hostile environment that can limit a student’s ability to participate in or benefit from Yale-NUS College’s programs or activities, but it is also incompatible with the climate of respect, trust, and inquiry integral to the College community. Faculty, staff, students, and visitors are expected to contribute to an intellectual, social, and employment environment that is free of unwelcome sexual behaviours and unwanted sexual experiences. We encourage all members of the College community to report instances of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated. For more information, please refer to the Sexual Misconduct Policy .
With regards to issues of sexual misconduct, maintaining confidentiality is taken very seriously. Though the College’s primary concern is ensuring the safety of students and employees and providing access to resources, we will strive to ensure that high standards of confidentiality are retained.
When reviewing allegations of sexual assault or misconduct, the College will take all reasonable steps to investigate and respond to a reporting party in a manner that is consistent with high standards of confidentiality. Confidentiality is not always possible or appropriate; the College has the responsibility to balance the requests for confidentiality with our institutional responsibility of ensuring a safe educational environment and workplace. However, we will always be communicative with the reporting and responding parties in the event that any information needs to be shared.
Sexual assault is the act of committing unwelcome physical contact of a sexual nature. Such an act is committed against a person’s will (through force, threat, manipulation, or coercion), without a person’s consent, and/or during a time in which the person is incapable of giving consent because of incapacitation, unconsciousness, or a drug-induced state. Reporting and responding parties can be of any sex/gender, sexual orientation and/or sexual identity.
Sexual contact is any intentional touching of another person in a sexual manner, however light or momentary, whether that touching is direct or indirect. Any sexual contact with a person who is incapacitated, unconscious, or in a drug-induced state is non-consensual, and thus, an instance of sexual misconduct/assault. Sexual contact includes, but is not limited to:
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination that involves any unwelcome acts of a sexual nature. This includes but is not limited to unwelcome sexual advances, unwelcome requests for sexual favours, unwelcome sexual jokes or epithets, unwelcome sexually explicit statements, unwelcome physical contact, and any other physical or verbal conduct of a sexual nature directed at a person because of their sex and/or gender. Sexual harassment also includes harassment online and offline, including sending explicit messages, photos, videos, or other media, of a sexual nature, to a person without their consent.
Stalking is one form of sexual harassment and is defined as harassing behaviour that is unwelcome, persistent, and repeated directed toward an individual or group. Such behaviour includes but is not limited to following an individual, making frequent phone calls, sending frequent emails or messages, appearing at an individual’s residence, class, or work. Stalking can occur over a few days or for many years and can occur in person or through electronic and Internet communications, as well as by other means.
Sexual exploitation occurs when a person takes non-consensual or abusive sexual advantage of another person for the benefit of anyone other than the person being exploited. This term includes behaviours that are not otherwise considered under sexual assault or sexual harassment, such as, but not limited to, non-consensual photographing or video/audio recording of sexual activity, non-consensual voyeurism, or purposefully inducing incapacitation for the intention of sexual activity. *Please note, this list is not exhaustive.
Voyeurism is the act of observing an individual in a state of undress or a state of sexual activity without that individual’s knowledge or consent. Intentionally watching, videotaping, or recording an individual who is undressing, completely or partially naked, or engaging in sexual activity. This includes allowing others to observe such conduct.
This is the sharing of private, revealing or sexually explicit images or videos of a person, typically by a former sexual partner, without the consent of the subject and in order to cause them distress or embarrassment. The media may be shared via posting online, texting to others, chat groups, printed, etc.
Exhibitionism involves the deliberate and unsolicited exposure of the genitals to an unwilling audience. It also encompasses engaging in sexually explicit activity in public spaces, including online.
Incapacitation is a state in which an individual is mentally or physically impaired due to alcohol or drug consumption and cannot understand the nature or extent of the sexual situation. Therefore, an incapacitated individual cannot give consent.
Sex and/or gender discrimination refers to the unequal or unfair treatment of an individual based on sex or gender. Yale-NUS does not tolerate any form of discrimination, including but not limited to, discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. For more information on College policy in this regard refer to Yale-NUS Student Community Standards.
Intimate partner violence is defined as violence in which a current or former intimate partner uses or threatens physical or sexual violence. This violence can also include physical or emotional abuse.
Consent is an informed and voluntary decision by an individual to engage in a sexual activity that must be offered knowingly and freely by that individual. Consent is given knowingly and voluntarily, and in the context of sexual conduct, the term ‘consent’ refers to an individual giving permission or agreeing to engage in sexual activity through mutually understandable words and/or actions that clearly indicate a willingness to engage freely in sexual activity. Consent is part of a mutual and on-going process, regardless of the relationship status or sexual history of the individuals involved..
Obtaining consent
When consent is not given
Alcohol and drugs
In Singapore, sexual assault carries a different definition from rape. This difference in definition impacts the consequent punishment delivered.
According to the Penal Code S354, sexual assault is defined as ‘whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person, intending to outrage or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby outrage the modesty of that person’, will be guilty of ‘assault or use of criminal force to a person with intent to outrage modesty’. This law does not specify gender, thus a person of any gender could be sexually assaulted.
Under S375 of the Penal Code of Singapore, rape is defined as ‘any man who penetrates the vagina of a woman with his penis without her consent, or with or without her consent, when she is under 14 years of age’. Furthermore, Section 157(d) of the Evidence Act allows a woman’s past “immoral” history to be used against her, officially codifying “blaming the victim”. This law is more gender specific; technically, men cannot be raped. Thus a man who is penetrated by another man would NOT be considered raped under Singapore law. However, a man who is penetrated by another man without consent is a victim of unlawful sexual penetration, which carries the same penalties as rape.
The jail term for both carries a maximum of 20 years. However, the offence of rape carries a minimum of eight years while sexual assault by penetration carries no minimum. Caning is mandatory for the offence of rape with at least 12 strokes being compulsory. This is not so for sexual assault by penetration through the offender may be liable for a fine or caning.