WHAT, WHEN

Under Section 376B of the Penal Code, it is illegal to engage in commercial sex with a minor below the age of 18.

This came into effect in February.

WHY

The rationale for setting the age of protection at 18 is to protect a higher proportion of minors.

Senior Minister of Home Affairs, Associate Prof Ho Peng Kee, had told Parliament of the reason for the new law.

He said: 'Young persons, because they are immature and vulnerable and can be exploited and, therefore, should be protected from providing sexual services'.

This story was first published in The New Paper on Oct 29, 2008.