Safe clubbing campaign returns in Singapore but molestation and fights in nightspots continue to be concerns
The campaign was launched by Goh Pei Ming (third from left), Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development. -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): Despite fewer molestation cases and fights at nightlife venues, the return of the Safe Clubbing Campaign for its fifth year underscores ongoing concerns.
The annual initiative organised by the Singapore Police Force and National Crime Prevention Council aims to promote responsible and moderate drinking habits while enjoying a night out.
With the tagline 'Celebrate Right, Enjoy Responsibly', the 2025 campaign was launched on May 26 at live music venue HaveFun LiveShow at Bugis+ by Goh Pei Ming, Minister of State for Home Affairs and for Social and Family Development.
As part of the campaign, Safe Clubbing drink coasters will be distributed to 209 public entertainment outlets islandwide. These coasters feature safety reminders and a QR code linking to the Safe Clubbing Challenge mobile game launched in 2024.
Advisory videos conveying key safety messages – such as respecting boundaries and staying calm to defuse potentially tense situations – will also be shown at nightspots.
The videos feature local media personalities such as Li Nanxing, Constance Song, Vivian Lai, Evelyn Tan and Darren Lim.
Goh said: 'No one will want to visit a public entertainment outlet hoping to have a good night out, only to end up injured, or to become a victim of crime.
'Public entertainment outlets with such reputation will probably find it more difficult to draw in customers. So, it makes good business sense, too, to work hand-in-hand and have measures in place to ensure that all Singaporeans looking for a night out will have a safe and enjoyable experience.'
The police said outrage of modesty cases in the first quarter of the year declined by more than 34 per cent compared with the same period in 2024, dropping from 29 to 19.
Similarly, cases involving rioting, affray, disorderly behaviour and serious hurt at nightspots saw a slight drop from 14 cases during the first three months of 2024 to 12 cases during the same period in 2025.
This is a shift from the trends in 2024, when the campaign was held amid rising molestation cases and fights at nightspots. Previous versions of this campaign were also held in 2018, 2019 and 2023.
Acknowledging the decline, Goh said: 'While the data is encouraging, such cases remain a concern, particularly outrage of modesty. In particular, these cases in and around public entertainment outlets still make up about 7 per cent of total cases nationwide last year.'
In 2024, 103 out of 1,427 outrage of modesty cases occurred at nightspots.
'Fights at nightspots also continue to occur,' said Superintendent Randy Chua, commanding officer of Marina Bay Neighbourhood Police Centre.
'Through this campaign, we are reinforcing our collaboration with industry partners to create a safe and respectful environment for all,' he added. - The Straits Times/ANN
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