Photo:Mika Korhonen/Unsplash

TLDR version: A woman slapped an 8-year-old girl who accidentally stepped on her foot in an MRT train. She was convicted for voluntarily causing hurt and was fined $5,000.

More thoughts: Most offences under the Penal Code carry enhanced penalties if committed against victims under 14 years old.

In this case, the offence of voluntarily causing hurt is punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment, up to $5000 fine, or both. For slapping an 8-year-old girl, the woman could have been sentenced up to twice that penalty.

Another question you may have is whether the $5,000 was paid to the girl. The answer is no. In a criminal case, the state conducts the prosecution and imposes penalties such as imprisonment, fines and caning, so fines are always paid to the state.

However, the victim’s parents (on her behalf) may also sue her attacker. In a civil suit, she would be the complainant/plaintiff and the attacker would be the respondent/defendant. If the complainant wins the lawsuit, she would be entitled to receive civil remedies such as monetary damages from the losing respondent.