These comments drew sharp criticism from prominent lawyers and advocacy group AWARE.
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam also weighed in, saying that while Mr Chia had “expressed his personal views”, he held an institutional position at the Law Society.
“My concern is that some people might actually think that the views he has expressed indicate the norms in Singapore. And I worry what impact his statement may have on other victims,” the minister said.
He added that lawyers, particularly those in senior positions, have to be mindful when making statements that “minimise or dismiss victims’ concerns”, as that can have an impact on others who may as a result not be willing to report what happened to them.
“Shaming and blaming victims steps over the line. And misogyny should have no place in our society,” Mr Shanmugam said.
Following the backlash, Mr Chia took down the LinkedIn post. He told CNA that the comments were meant to draw people’s attention to their situational awareness and not to cast blame on any party.
“As a criminal lawyer, my intent was not to cast blame on any party, but to highlight the importance of situational awareness – both to guard against being assaulted and to avoid actions that could later be misconstrued,” he said.
“My comments were meant to encourage reflection on how individuals can better protect themselves in social situations. This is not about shifting responsibility but about understanding real-world risks.”
Mr Chia is the co-managing director of law firm Chia Wong Chambers. According to his profile on his firm’s website, he had been the vice-president of the Law Society since August 2023 and was its treasurer prior to that.
