Woman allegedly assaulted by man at Marquee says nightclub security 'did not offer any support'
A woman who says she was hit and kicked by a man while dancing at the popular Marquee Nightclub in Marina Bay Sands, claims that security staff failed to offer her any support.
She is also asking for help to identify the man who allegedly assaulted her.
Speaking to Stomp, Amelia Lee said she was in "complete shock" when the incident took place. It was only after others stepped in and paramedics attended to her that the "pain started setting in."
"I couldn't stop crying," the 28-year-old senior marketing executive said.
In an Instagram post uploaded on Dec 2, Ms Lee shared a series of photos and a detailed account of what allegedly happened in the early hours of Nov 16.
The caption began with a plea: "SOS: Help needed to identify perpetrator."
Her post has since amassed over 3,300 likes and more than 380 comments as of press time.
'Traumatic incident'
Describing the "traumatic" incident, Ms Lee said she and her friends were dancing on a podium at around 2.15am. A man then approached and began pushing them aggressively with his body "under the guise of 'dancing'."
This almost caused them to fall off the podium, but a friend managed to steady them. A security guard and bottle girl who witnessed the man's behaviour issued him a warning.
Ms Lee and her friends then moved to the corner of the podium, but soon after, the man began waving his hands very close to their faces, leaving them "extremely uncomfortable and afraid."
As they were backed into a corner, she pushed the man's hands away. In response, he turned and kicked her forcefully in the chest, causing her to fall.
While she was on the ground, the man continued kicking and hitting her stomach, wrote Ms Lee. Seconds later, her friends noticed what was happening and intervened, pushing him away.
The post included a video with a close-up of the man seemingly kicking and hitting her with "significant force", which she said caused her "tremendous pain."
Eventually, she said, security guards pulled him out of the club.
'Bounced out' by Marquee security
Another video frame shows the man being escorted out by security staff, which she said happened minutes after the incident.
When Ms Lee and her friends stepped outside the club to get details of the man, he had already left.
Noticing his friends still lingering outside, they attempted to gather information from them but were unable to do so. Ms Lee said this made her feel "really helpless".
"I don't think I've fully processed the whole situation yet, but whenever I replay it in my head, I feel myself tearing up because I genuinely felt so helpless," said Ms Lee.
Incident 'did not meet criteria for police case'
She then called the police, who came to take her statement.
According to Ms Lee, she was told that the incident "did not meet the criteria for a police case" since no grievous harm was caused and no weapons were involved.
"I'm thankful that I was not more seriously injured, but beyond the physical bruises, the emotional impact has been far deeper and lasting," she wrote.
She added that the police told her the man could not be identified, as Marquee did not "record or share his details", meaning no further action could be taken against him.
'I'm at a loss'
"I'm at a loss of [sic] what to do," she wrote. Without clear footage of the full incident, Ms Lee has "no means of identifying him for legal follow-up".
She added that weeks have passed with no updates from Marquee.
Ms Lee concluded her post by urging anyone with information that could help identify the man to notify her. "I hope that justice can be served soon."
She told Stomp that she has been unable to identify the man so far. She has since approached the Magistrate's Court, and was informed that the investigation officer assigned will continue probing the case.
Ms Lee said she has frequented Marquee, self-styled as Singapore's largest club and featuring a ferris wheel and three-storey slide, for years.
"I always thought it was safe... That really shook me."
Police investigations ongoing
In response to Stomp's queries, a police spokesperson confirmed receiving a call for assistance at 1 Bayfront Avenue on Nov 16 at 2.25am.
The spokesperson added that a 28-year-old woman sustained minor injuries but declined conveyance to the hospital, and that police investigations are ongoing.
A Marquee spokesperson also confirmed that an incident involving an altercation between two guests occurred at the nightclub on Nov 16. The nightclub is cooperating fully with police in their ongoing investigation.
