LawSoc VP Chia Boon Teck resigns after backlash over ‘victim-blaming’ comments on rape case
The resignation takes effect immediately
[SINGAPORE] Law Society (LawSoc) vice-president Chia Boon Teck has resigned, after comments he made on a recent rape case drew strong criticism and sparked public outcry.
President Lisa Sam has accepted the resignation, which takes effect immediately, the LawSoc said in a statement on Tuesday (Mar 25) afternoon.
“We thank Mr Chia for his service and contributions during his tenure on (the) council and wish him well in his future endeavours,” it said.
Earlier that day, Sam had asked for Chia, who is also co-managing director of law firm Chia Wong Chambers, to resign and step down as council member.
This was after Chia received backlash from lawyers over comments he made on the case involving TikTok personality Lev Panfilov, who was convicted by the High Court of raping a woman he met on dating app Tinder.
In a LinkedIn post, Chia questioned aspects of the victim’s account, which was reported by media outlets following the guilty ruling. Among his comments, he wrote: “People who indulge in one night stands may wanna (sic) take note to protect themselves from attack, or accusations of attack.”
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The post has since been taken down but screenshots of it have circulated online.
Chia’s comments were criticised by prominent lawyers for perpetuating rape myths and victim-blaming.
His post also drew sharp rebuke from Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam, who raised concerns that because of Chia’s position as LawSoc vice-president “some people might actually think that the views he has expressed indicate the norms in Singapore”.
“I worry what impact his statement may have on other victims,” he said. “Shaming and blaming victims steps over the line. And misogyny should have no place in our society.”
In her statement, LawSoc’s Sam said that the comments and views Chia expressed in his post were unacceptable.
“The victim’s morality should not have been questioned in this manner. Such comments and views are also inimical for a person in a position of leadership to espouse,” she added.
Responding to the backlash, Chia told CNA that he was sharing his views as a criminal lawyer, and his post was meant to “draw people’s attention to their situational awareness to guard against being assaulted, or being accused of assaulting”.
“As a criminal lawyer, my intent was not to cast blame on any party, but to highlight the importance of situational awareness – both to guard against being assaulted and to avoid actions that could later be misconstrued.”
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