SINGAPORE — Singapore is open to considering pharmacological anti-androgen treatment, or chemical castration, as an additional measure to curb sexual crimes, although evidence of its effectiveness in reducing crime remains inconclusive, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said on Tuesday.

Responding to a parliamentary question on whether statutory penalties and additional deterrence measures for sexual offenses against children should be reviewed, Shanmugam said the government would consider such treatment if it is shown to be effective in bringing down crime rates.

The police maintain a non-public record of individuals convicted of serious offenses, including sexual offenses, and share the information with selected agencies when screening applicants for roles involving sustained contact with children and young persons, said Shanmugam.

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He said the government is also considering expanding screening to more roles involving contact with children and young persons, including whether to introduce voluntary screening for unregulated sectors.

He said Singapore already imposes stiff penalties for serious sexual offenses involving minors. Rape or penetrative sexual assault involving a child below 14 without consent carries a mandatory jail term of eight to 20 years and at least 12 strokes of the cane.