According to behavioural consultant Sitra Panirsheeluam, the government has yet to realise that its “primitive” approach to such issues has barely scratched the surface of what it is trying to address.
From drink driving to domestic abuse, she believes inflicting heavier penalties on those who commit such acts is just plugging holes as they appear.
“Punishment is simply not good enough,” she said. “It curbs the behaviour but doesn’t help them to learn from their mistakes.”
Sitra said these issues likely stem from deeper troubles which can be potentially rooted out by using more nuanced methods.
“In the instance of drink driving, heavier fines can be replaced with raised insurance payments with a warning,” she said.
“Each time they commit the offence, they must dedicate a certain number of hours to road safety workshops or other rehabilitative courses.
“Their licence is then revoked after their third repeat offence.”
She explained that consecutive violations, undeterred by these measures, become red flags the government can monitor and then intervene accordingly.
Sitra said a similar approach can be applied in the context of domestic abuse and even sex offenders, by substituting whipping and fining with psychotherapy and evaluation.
“Abusers can cite that their deeds were committed with an ‘unsound mind’. How can this soundness of mind be determined without consulting professionals in the field?”
In this regard, she said, the government should engage professionals to keep current practices up to date with research evidence.
As to whether these abusers or sex offenders deserve the benefit, she said the burden of proof lies with therapy outcomes.
“And we can’t have the said therapy outcomes without putting the right people to work,“ she said.
“For us to reach these outcomes, the government needs to invest in more research grants as well as equip its staff with the level of mental health literacy to effect lasting change.”
Sitra also said the government should realise that even its missteps can have far-reaching consequences.
“Regardless of what the government does or doesn’t do, there will be consequences,” she said. “And it will be the nation it shapes that suffers then.”