Protecting. Families from Violence. The Singapore Experience

Transcription

1 Protecting Families from Violence The Singapore Experience

2 Copyright 2009 Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports Protecting Families from Violence: The Singapore Experience is published by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) 512 Thomson Road, MCYS Building, Singapore ISBN All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Enquiries may be directed to: Programme Branch Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) 512 Thomson Road #11-00 MCYS Building Singapore

3 1 Foreword Protecting Families from Violence: The Singapore Experience For years, many have perceived family violence as a private family affair. However, the fact that the violence occurs in the family, an environment expected to be safe and protective, makes family violence particularly distressing. Singapore s strategy in tackling family violence is to strengthen the families affected by violence by enhancing the community support. Like many other social issues that we face, family violence is a complex phenomenon that is multifaceted. It requires responses from all sectors of society to co-operate and collaborate in ensuring the safety and well-being of families. I am happy to present this updated publication to you. You will find an overview of the trends and profile of family violence cases and the range of our services, programmes, research and public education efforts. It also highlights the significant milestones and initiatives achieved so far in the area of family violence work in Singapore. Every family deserves the right to live without fear and the work to help families for whom violence exists is an ongoing one. By sharing our experience through this publication, we hope that the collective knowledge gained will help all of us to work in concert in achieving our shared objective of a violence-free environment for families. Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports

4 2 Content Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Reference Introduction Overview of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore Trends and Research on Family Violence Services and Programmes for Families Public Education Successes and Challenges Flow Chart On The Management Of Family Violence Cases Acknowledgements Important Contact Details

5 3 Chapter 1: Introduction Family violence can have devastating consequences. When violence occurs at home, the impact is felt by everyone in the family. Singapore takes a serious view of violence in any form and seeks to foster a violence-free environment for families through multi-agency collaboration. The legislation on family violence that came into effect in May 1997 provided the impetus for a closer government and community partnership in reducing family violence. Arising from the legislative provision, a multipronged approach was formulated to identify and help families affected by violence. This publication documents the Singapore experience in managing family violence by examining the policy framework on family violence, the continuum of services and programmes in place to help victims recover from their trauma and perpetrators cease their abusive behaviour, trends, research, and public education efforts to prevent violence in homes. What is Family Violence? In Singapore, the family is the basic unit of society and the basis upon which policies and programmes are formulated. Section 64 of the Women s Charter defines family violence as the commission of any of the following acts: Wilfully or knowingly placing or attempting to place a family member in fear of hurt; Causing hurt to a family member by such act which is known or ought to have been known would result in hurt; Wrongfully confining or restraining a family member against his will; and Causing continual harassment with intent to cause or knowing that it is likely to cause anguish to a family member. Under the law, a family member is defined as a spouse or former spouse, a child (including adopted and step children), parents, parents-in-law, sibling or any other relative or incapacitated person whom the Court regards as a family member. There are strict laws in Singapore against family violence. Where incidences of violence have occurred in the home, the community and the government will step in to provide protection to the victims and to address the offending behaviour. Legal Protection for Families Several key pieces of legislation underlie the management of family violence in Singapore. The cornerstone of the legislative provisions is the Women s Charter.

6 4 Chapter 1: Introduction Women s Charter The protection under the Women s Charter is accorded to all who are vulnerable, regardless of gender. In 1996, amendments were made to the Women s Charter to give greater protection to family members against violence. The amendments included the widening of the definition of family members beyond spouses and children, as well as the definition of family violence to include emotional and psychological harm. At the same time, amendments were made to enable the Court to issue a Personal Protection Order (PPO) on the principle of balance of probability instead of beyond reasonable doubt in situations where violence has occurred or is likely to occur. These amendments have encouraged victims to seek protection and help. Did you know? If a person is under 21 years old, or is unable to apply for a Personal Protection Order due to mental or physical disability, ill-health or old age, a guardian, relative, caregiver, or any other person appointed by the Minister may apply for the Order on his behalf. One of the options under the PPO is the Domestic Exclusion Order (DEO), which grants the right of exclusive occupation of the shared residence or a specific part of the shared residence, to the protected person. If there is imminent danger of family violence against a victim, the Court can also issue an Expedited Order (EO) to be served on the perpetrator under Sections 66 and 67 of the Women s Charter. This is a temporary PPO granted in the absence of the perpetrator. It is effective 28 days from the date that it was served to the respondent or till the first court hearing, whichever is earlier. The aim of the PPO is to restrain the perpetrator from using family violence. Any person who willfully breaches the Protection Order or Expedited Order is liable to be fined up to S$2,000 or be imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both. In the case of a second or subsequent conviction, the person is liable to be fined up to S$5,000 or to be imprisoned up to 12 months, or both. The section 65(5)(b) of the Women s Charter empowers the Court to mandate perpetrators, victims and other family members to attend counselling. The mandatory Counselling Order (CGO) is often issued together with a PPO. This order is meant to help the perpetrator stop his abusive behaviour. The Order can also be given to a victim and other family members (including children) to support and protect them from violence. Non-compliance with the order can constitute contempt of the Court. Clients who are given CGOs will participate in the Mandatory Counselling Programme run by various social service agencies in the community. Penal Code In cases where the perpetrator has caused substantial physical hurt to the victim(s), charges may be brought against him under the Penal Code and an arrest made based on those charges. Under the Penal Code, the following constitute seizable offences: Voluntarily causing grievous hurt whereby grievous hurt is defined by permanent privation or impairment of sight, hearing, member or joint, permanent disfiguration

7 Chapter 1: Introduction 5 of the head or face, fracture or dislocation of a bone, emasculation, or any hurt which endangers life or which causes the sufferer to be in severe bodily pain for 20 days or unable to follow ordinary pursuits. Children and Young Persons Act Children can also be victims of family violence. The Children and Young Person s Act (CYPA) has legal provisions for the protection of children and young persons against abuse, neglect and exploitation. The CYPA defines a child as one who is below 14 years of age and a young person as one who is aged from 14 to below 16 years old. Child abuse is any act of omission or commission by a parent or guardian which would endanger or impair the child s physical or emotional well-being, or that is judged by a mixture of community values and professionals to be inappropriate. Child abuse may be in the form of physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional or psychological abuse. Psychological abuse was legally recognised as a form of abuse through amendments to the CYPA in Under the CYPA, any act of child abuse or neglect, or behaviours that potentially expose the child or young person to abuse and neglect, are offences punishable under the law. The penalties for such an offence include prison terms of up to four years; fines not exceeding S$4000; or both imprisonment and fines. In the event that the child or young person dies, the penalties include imprisonment of up to seven years; fines not exceeding S$20,000 or both imprisonment and fines. For more information on protecting children in Singapore, please refer to the publication on Protecting Children in Singapore by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, October The Maintenance of Parents Act The Maintenance of Parents Act provides recourse to the elderly who are unable to maintain themselves financially, by obtaining financial maintenance from their children. The Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents has the jurisdiction to hear and determine the outcomes of all applications made under this Act. Any person domiciled and resident in Singapore, 60 years and above and unable to maintain himself adequately can claim maintenance from their children, who are capable of supporting him but are not doing so. A person below 60 years may also apply if the Tribunal is satisfied that he is suffering from infirmity of mind or body or for special reasons which prevents him or makes it difficult for him to maintain himself. Regional and International Conventions Singapore s legislation for the protection of women against violence are in line with two regional and international human rights conventions which Singapore is party to, namely the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (UN CEDAW) and the ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW). UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Singapore ratified CEDAW, a human rights treaty for women, on 5 October It defines how equality between men and

8 6 Chapter 1: Introduction women can be achieved and what constitutes discrimination. CEDAW came into force for Singapore on 4 November The principles regarding the equality of men and women have been in place prior to Singapore s accession to the Convention in the Constitution of Singapore. Legal provisions for the protection of women against violence as in the Women s Charter support our obligations under CEDAW. ASEAN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (DEVAW) Violence against women is a priority concern identified by the ASEAN Committee on Women of which Singapore is a member. The ASEAN Foreign Ministers signed the Declaration at their 37th Meeting in Jakarta, June The Declaration commits ASEAN member countries to implement and monitor commitments made to eliminate violence along eight areas of focus. They are i) research; ii) response mechanisms for survivors and perpetrators; iii) gender mainstreaming; iv) law reform; v) empowerment of women; vi) preventive measures; vii) regional collaboration; and viii) strengthening collaborations with non-profit organisations. In this regard, Singapore s policy framework, services and programmes are accorded to all who are vulnerable or at risk of abusive family relationships.

9 7 Chapter 2: Overview of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore In protecting families, Singapore aims to fulfill our obligations and roles through two policy pillars: i) Multi-disciplinary and integrated partnership; and ii) Empowering victims and perpetrators. Multi-Disciplinary and Integrated Partnership Family violence is a multi-faceted and protracted problem which requires a multidisciplinary and integrated approach. This requires a close partnership between the government and community to reduce family violence. While policies provide the framework for operation, inter-agency coordination and communication are the essential elements which enable the system to run well. Victims of family violence are not alone in dealing with violence in the home. A corollary of the multi-disciplinary framework is what has been termed the Many Helping Hands approach. This approach underlies the social service delivery mechanism and espouses the principle that the various agencies, including the government, the community and families, should work together in partnership to tackle social issues in Singapore. The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) is the lead agency in Singapore for supporting families at risk or in distress. MCYS plays a key role in charting the policy and service delivery frameworks for the management of family violence. It coordinates and works in partnership with key ministries, the police, healthcare professionals and social service providers to provide comprehensive and effective services for those affected by violence. Central to the success of any policy is the effectiveness of its implementation. In this respect, because of a high level of government and community commitment, Singapore has been able to realise its policy intentions in the management of family violence. MCYS and its partners have developed various platforms for policy implementations through: i) Implementing the Many Helping Hands approach; and ii) Ensuring professional competency. Implementing the Many Helping Hands Approach A key platform for the Many Helping Hands approach is the Family Violence Dialogue Group, which is headed jointly

10 8 Chapter 2: Over view of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore by MCYS and the Singapore Police Force. The Dialogue Group comprises the Family Court, Singapore Prisons Service, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the National Council of Social Service, and social service agencies. The Dialogue Group was established to provide a platform for the various agencies to jointly set strategic policy frameworks and to enhance services for families who are affected by violence. At the same time, this multi-agency dialogue group collaborates on public education efforts aimed at preventing family violence and facilitates work processes amongst the agencies. The National Family Violence Networking System was established in 1996 to put a tight network of support and assistance into place. This system links the Police, hospitals, social service agencies, the Courts and MCYS into six geographical regions for closer collaboration and networking. The island-wide networking system provides multiple access points for victims to obtain help. To enhance networking amongst the many community partners, regular regional meetings are held. These meetings hosted by Police Land Divisions enable partners to improve operational procedures and provide coordinated assistance to families. The enhanced police-social worker collaboration has resulted in significant achievements, such as the training of Police officers to better understand and handle family violence cases, and increased public education to build awareness of the assistance available from Family Service Centres for victims and perpetrators. In their efforts to generate greater awareness, the Police and MCYS have reached out to faith-based organisations and schools through various platforms and initiatives. On an annual basis, MCYS and the Singapore Police Force co-organise the National Family Violence Networking Symposium to strengthen partnerships between agencies to share best practices in policy, practice and research dealing with family violence. In 2003, the Family Violence Dialogue Group mooted the idea of setting up six Regional Family Violence Working Groups, led by non-government organisations, to harness community energy to spearhead regional activities, examine new trends at the grassroots level, and seek new ways to help families affected by violence. These Working Groups also serve as a channel for providing feedback to the Dialogue Group on gaps in provisions of services for families affected by violence. To this end, the Chairpersons of the Working Groups are appointed as members of the Dialogue Group during their 2-year term. Did you know? Regional Family Violence Working Groups were set up in all regions in Singapore in 2003/4 with the aim of working closer with the community to raise awareness on family violence, examine regional trends and to enhance service delivery. Comprising hospitals, police, crisis shelters and social service agencies, these regional working groups have spearheaded publicity efforts, inter-agency training and service improvement projects at the grassroots level.

11 Chapter 2: Over view of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore 9 Another platform for the multi-pronged approach to family violence is the newsletter for partners in the field of family violence and child protection. This was launched in October Called Networkz - Agencies Uniting Against Family Violence, it aims to provide agencies with updates in the networking system including events, programmes, trends, training and resources available, as well as to share the challenges and successes in the field. It is hoped that this initiative will further strengthen inter-agency linkages and spur the agencies to serve the families affected by violence even better. Improving Service Delivery In order to keep the system working efficiently, it is not only important that efforts are made to knit the different parts of the system together through formal and informal networks; it is also important that the work processes are clearly spelt out and each party s role, precisely defined. To that end, MCYS developed a manual entitled Integrated Management of Family Violence Cases in Singapore in Updated regularly, the manual spells out the protocol, procedures, roles, and responsibilities of each partner agency in the networking system. The manual reflects the government and nongovernment sectors shared goal of working in partnership to develop a seamless approach in serving families in violent relationships and in preventing family violence. Ensuring Professional Competency The effectiveness of Singapore s family management system lies in the competencies of its service providers. The aim of training is to equip professionals and frontline workers with knowledge and skills to effectively work with family violence cases.

12 10 Chapter 2: Over view of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore Since 1997, MCYS has organised training on the management of family violence for frontline workers at three levels - basic, intermediate and specialised levels. Basic training covers an overview of the legislative framework on family violence, the protocol on the management of family violence cases by various agencies, as well as skills and techniques for providing help in such cases. At the intermediate level, counselling skills to engage mandated clients and couples are taught. The specialised level of training includes skills to counsel clients with addictions and working with mandated clients in groups. In partnership with MCYS, the Social Service Training Institute at the National Council of Social Service runs training courses for family violence workers. Additionally, inter-agency joint training between the Police at Land Divisions and social service agencies has been introduced to strengthen the effectiveness of the family violence network system. This training focuses on appropriate responses to victims and perpetrators, inter-agency protocols and community resources for such families. In 2007, MCYS and the Social Service Training Institute developed a training roadmap for social workers and counsellors. This road map identifies the core and specialist competencies required of protection workers thus guiding workers on the type of training they need to equip them for the job. In the same year, a Certification Programme in Family Violence Mandatory Counselling Programme was developed. The Certification Programme which comprises both the basic and intermediate training programmes must be obtained by all social workers and counsellors keen to take on mandatory cases. These efforts are aimed at raising the competency levels of practitioners in rehabilitating and ending violence in families. Empowering Victims and Perpetrators A primary objective of Singapore s management of family violence is the empowerment of victims and perpetrators. Safety is the paramount concern and victims are helped to make informed choices concerning safety, and given counselling and support so that they are able to deal with future threats of violence. Perpetrators are also rendered help in addressing their violent behaviour. The emphasis on empowering victims and perpetrators is to encourage them to take steps to end violence in their lives. Personal Protection Orders issued by the Family Court are one way of empowering victims as they offer state-mandated protection. In addition, the Women s Charter allows the Court to issue mandatory Counselling Orders (CGOs) that compel the victim, perpetrator and /or family members to attend counselling. The aim of the Mandatory Counselling Programme is to support victims and their children to ensure their safety and protection, and to rehabilitate the perpetrator. Counselling sessions cover topics such as making safety plans, understanding the impact and cycle of violence to help clients break that cycle. With mandatory counselling, victims are empowered as they learn how to formulate safety plans for themselves and their children. Perpetrators are taught anger and conflict management skills, and encouraged to take personal responsibility for their own actions. 1 The Subordinate Courts of Singapore (2000), Alcohol or Drug Abuse: Relationship to Domestic Violence, Research Bulletin, Issue no. 25.

13 Chapter 2: Over view of the Integrated Management of Family Violence in Singapore 11 To date, 40 social service agencies have been appointed and funded by MCYS to provide mandatory counselling. Both overseas and local studies have pointed out that alcohol and drug abuse are strongly associated with incidences of family violence. A survey of 625 victims of violence, by the Subordinate Courts of Singapore 1 also showed that 26.9% indicated that the alleged incidences of violence were alcohol or drug abuse related. About 4-5% of these cases indicate substance abuse disorders, requiring intensive treatment or even hospitalisation. Thus, in March 2002, the Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP) under the Institute of Mental Health, together with the Family Court and MCYS, launched Project SAVE (Substance Abuse and Violence Elimination) as an extension of the Mandatory Counselling Programme. This counselling programme is targeted at perpetrators who have addiction issues. In June 2005, MCYS with the support of the Singapore Prisons Service, Family Court and Pasir Ris Family Service Centre piloted the extension of the Mandatory Counselling Programme to offenders in penal institutions. In 2007, the project was formalised as an on-going programme. Offenders can hence receive mandatory counselling while serving their sentences. This has enabled offenders to receive early rehabilitation and preparation for their eventual reintegration into the community. In March 2007, the Mandatory Counselling Programme Practice Guide was launched as a resource for family violence counsellors. The Guide encapsulates local practice, knowledge and experience and details the operational and philosophical aspects of providing mandatory counselling, while at the same time articulating the professional standards expected of agencies. Protection for the Elderly The laws and assistance rendered to help victims of family violence apply to everyone regardless of gender, race or age. The elderly is no exception. Learning from the best practices both locally and overseas, MCYS piloted an Elder Protection Team (EPT) in September 2003 to manage elder abuse cases. The EPT is a multi-disciplinary team comprising professionals in the field of geriatrics, psychiatry, law and social work. The EPT is spearheaded by TRANS Centre, a voluntary welfare organization specialising in family violence work. The members comprise representatives from Alexandra Hospital, Institute of Mental Health, Law Faculty of National University of Singapore, TSAO Foundation, Singapore Association of Women Lawyers, Police and MCYS. In March 2005, the EPT was formalised as an on-going committee for consultation of elder abuse cases as it achieved its objective of providing multi-disciplinary assessment and intervention for the benefit of families and the community. Public education efforts have been stepped up to educate the elderly on their rights and to inform them of the avenues of help. An elderly person requiring help can access these services through any contact points through the National Family Violence Networking System, including the Family Service Centres, the police, hospitals and the Court. Service providers also undergo regular training to help them detect and intervene in elder abuse cases. A booklet on elder abuse and neglect has also been developed to guide service providers on the signs and symptoms of abuse, and how to help and refer the elderly.

14 12 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence The Family Transformation and Protection Unit (FTPU) is a specialised unit in the Family Court where victims of family violence can apply for Protection Orders. The Family Court monitors the trend in application for Protection Orders. Number of Personal Protection and Domestic Exclusion Orders Since the Women s Charter was amended in 1996 to give more protection to families, the number of applications for Personal Protection Order and Domestic Exclusion Order (PPO/ DEO) showed an increasing trend which peaked at During this period, with more public awareness and better access to assistance, an increasing number of victims of family violence had come forth to seek help and protection. The trend started on a general decline since 2001, falling 14.4% between 2001 and This trend coincided with the concurrent rise in cases referred to Family Service Centres from police for early intervention Table 1: Personal Protection Order (PPO) and Domestic Exclusion Order (DEO) Applications (Source: The Subordinate Courts of Singapore)

15 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence 13 Profile of Family Violence Cases According to the profile of PPO applicants in 2006 (Subordinate Courts, 2006), Chinese formed the largest group of PPO applicants (51%), followed by Indians (24%), Malays (20%) and other races (5%). In terms of age group, the highest proportion of PPO applicants were those aged between years old (37%). 26% of PPO applicants were aged between years old whilst 19% of PPO applicants were aged between years old. 12% of PPO applicants were aged between years old, 5% of PPO applicants were older than 60 years old and only 1% of PPO applicants were younger than 21 years old. The Subordinate Courts conducted a study on the profile of family violence cases between 2003 and The findings showed that 82% of all complainants 3 were female. The study also showed that family violence cuts across educational and occupational backgrounds. However, it was noteworthy that 71% of complainants and 65% of respondents 4 were earning less than $1500 a month. The predominant type of violence reported is spousal violence, forming 69% of all family violence cases. 17% of victims were children 5, 5% were parents and 3% were siblings. Looking at incidents, the most common form of violence was physical assault (42%), followed by multiple forms of violence (26%) and threats (18%). The study also found that the majority of assaults took place at home. In 32% of the cases, children, especially those below 10 years of age, were involved in incidents of family violence. In 81% of the cases, the children tried to intervene through various ways like calling the police or stopping the parents from fighting. 68% were hurt in the process of intervention (Subordinate Courts, 2005). These results suggest that while children may not be the immediate victims of abuse and assaults, they may be silent victims. Effectiveness of Protection Orders In another study conducted by the Subordinate Courts in , it was found that Protection Orders were highly effective in enhancing the quality of life of the complainants and their children. 81.1% of the complainants agreed that there had been an improvement and they felt safer, just 1 month after the issue of protection orders. This compares favourably when compared to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs 7 in 1994, where 72% of the women reported that their lives improved a month after a court order was given. With growing emphasis on evidence-based approach to the management of family violence, MCYS commissioned and led several key studies from 2002 to present to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and practices. These studies have been shared with members of the Family Violence Dialogue Group and at the annual National Family Violence Networking Symposium. The findings have enabled service-providers and policy-makers to fine-tune their practices to meet the needs of families affected by violence. 2 The Subordinate Courts of Singapore (2005), Faces of Family Violence: A Profile Study on Family Violence, Research Bulletin Issue no Complainants refer to those who have applied for protection orders. 4 Respondents refer to those whom protection orders are being taken up against. 5 Children refer to any child below 21 years old. 6 The Subordinate Courts of Singapore (2001), Study on the Effectiveness of Protection Orders, Research Bulletin, Issue no Susan L. Keilitz, Courtenay Davis, Hillery S Efkeman, Carol Flango and Puala L. Hannaford of the National Center for State Courts, (1998), National Institute of Justice Research Review, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs.

16 14 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence Effectiveness of Mandatory Counselling Orders CGOs (Persons) Number of Persons Issued CGOs (Source: The Subordinate Courts of Singapore) Over 11,000 persons have undergone mandatory counselling since it started in MCYS undertook a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the Mandatory Counselling Programme in MCYS also conducts annual recidivism studies to monitor the progress of perpetrators who have undergone Mandatory Counselling Programme. The findings from the studies are described in the following pages. Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Mandatory Counselling, MCYS, 2004 Objective of study: As the main coordinating body for the Mandatory Counselling Programme (MCP), MCYS periodically reviews the programme to ensure that it stays relevant to the needs of the family violence clients. In 2004, MCYS undertook a study to evaluate the effectiveness of the MCP from the perspective of the participants in the programme. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the MCP, assess victims use of safety plans and perpetrators use of violence control plans, and assess their usage of help and resources in the community. Methodology: A sample of victims and perpetrators who had completed the MCP between July 2003 and February 2004 was surveyed. Structured telephone interviews were conducted with them. A total of 30 victims and 31 perpetrators responded to the survey. The profile of the respondents was as follows: Victims All females Average age: 37.1 Average income: $1,865 Average number of years being abused: 6.4 Perpetrators 30 males, 1 female Average age: 41.8 Average income: $2,298

17 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence 15 Key findings: 1) Behaviour after MCP Majority of both victims and perpetrators reported that there was no violent behaviour after completing the MCP. However, while 28 perpetrators (90%) claimed that they did not abuse their spouses after the MCP, only 18 victims (60%) claimed there was no physical violence after MCP. 4 victims and 3 perpetrators did not say whether there was recurrence of abuse. 2) Desirable Behaviour 4 in 10 victims reported that their spouses would leave to calm down when he felt himself getting really upset, sometimes or most of the times. About 7 in 10 perpetrators, on the other hand, said that they did so. In addition, 4 in 10 victims said that their spouses would discuss issues with them calmly, sometimes or most of the time. However, nearly 6 out of 10 perpetrators reported the same behaviour. 3) Controlling Behaviour Majority of victims mentioned that their spouses never exhibited the following controlling behaviours: Kept them from talking on the phone (77.3%) Habitually interrupting their sleeping or eating (59.1%) Said that they could not leave or spend time with certain people (81.8%) Stopped them from going some place (72.7%) Kept them from using their income or savings (95.2%) Followed them against their will (85%) The responses from the victims corresponded quite closely with that of the perpetrators where more than 80% of them claimed that they never exhibited any of the above controlling behaviours. 4) Threats/Emotional Abuse Almost all perpetrators (average 95%) claimed that they never made threats or committed any emotional abuse. This was in contrast to an average of 77% of victims who reported that they have never received threats or emotional abuse. 4 victims reported that their spouses threatened to hit them or throw something at them sometimes, or most of the time. 3 victims said that their spouses made threats to leave them, have an affair or withhold money most of the time or all the time. 5) Verbal Abuse Verbal abuse is still common for about half the victims who said that their spouses screamed or insulted them sometimes, most of the time or all the time. 9 victims mentioned that their spouses sometimes talked down to them. This corresponded somewhat to the perpetrators accounts where about 6 in 10 claimed that they never screamed or insulted their spouses. 6 perpetrators also admitted to having called their spouses names and 3 said they did talk down at or belittle their spouses. 6) Physical Abuse Almost all the perpetrators reported that there were no incidences of physical abuse after completing the MCP. Only 1 admitted to having pushed his partner and another said that he sometimes threw his partner on the floor or against the

18 16 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence wall. The responses from the perpetrators were unsurprising given that protection orders had been served against them and they would have to face serious consequences should they breach the orders. Victims accounts largely corresponded with the perpetrators, with all of them reporting that their partners never burned, punched, threw them against the floor or wall, beat them till unconscious, choked or strangled them. 9 out of 10 also said that their partners never slapped, hit them with an object or kicked them after the MCP. However, 1 victim claimed that her partner forced her to have sex against her will sometimes, while another victim claimed all the time. 7) Safety Plans for Victims More than 7 out of 10 victims reported that they had learnt safety plans that they could use for protecting themselves against violence. 10 victims mentioned that they used the safety plans after completing the MCP. 8) Identifying Signs of Violence 8 out of 10 victims responded that they could identify signs of violence. Those who reported that they could not identify the signs said that their spouses were very temperamental and it was difficult to recognise the signs. 9) Reaction to Violence after Completing the MCP None of the victims reported that they had gone to a crisis shelter after completing the MCP. However, 3 victims said that they left the house and went somewhere because they felt afraid. 4 victims called the police and 1 had to seek medical treatment because of violence after completing the MCP. 10) Perpetrators Use of Violence Control Plans Slightly more than half of the perpetrators reported that they have used what they learnt at the MCP. Only 2 reported that they used alcohol or drugs during violent incidents. About 7 out of 10 perpetrators said that they could identify signs of violence in themselves that might lead to a violent incident. 3 perpetrators who did not want to respond to this question blamed their spouses and claimed that it was their spouses who were abusive. 11) Emotional Support It was clear from the survey that more victims found emotional support from those around them than the perpetrators. About 7 out of 10 victims said that their family, friends, relatives, support groups, religious groups or journal writing helped them to cope emotionally with the violence. This was in contrast to the response from the perpetrators. Less than 4 out of 10 said that they received adequate emotional support. This indicated that people were generally more likely to typecast perpetrators and blame them for the violence. However, emotional support for perpetrators is important to help them manage their violent behaviour. 12) Evaluation of the MCP More than 7 out of 10 victims said that their lives had improved after the MCP, as their spouses were less abusive or no longer abusive. No victim concluded that her life was worse after the MCP. The same majority of the victims were confident that it was very unlikely or unlikely that their spouses would hit them in the next 6 months. More than 80% of the victims were satisfied with the MCP and only 3 rated the programme poor. Victims who found the programme useful gave

19 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence 17 the following feedback: Learnt useful tips from counsellors, such as safety precautions and how to handle situations that could lead to violence Counsellors gave good advice Counsellors were attentive and understanding Counsellors were non-judgemental Relationship with spouse had improved Realised that there were other women in the same situation. Some had continued to keep in touch with each other after the MCP. 6 out of 10 perpetrators said that they had changed after the MCP. Those who reported a change said that they had become less violent, more tolerant and calmer. Their drinking and gambling habits had been reduced and they were able to avoid arguments with their spouses. 2 who did not report any positive changes after MCP claimed that they had never been violent. In contrast to the victims, fewer perpetrators found the MCP useful. Only about half of the perpetrators found the programme useful. Those who found the programme useful mentioned the following: Counsellors gave good advice on how to handle certain situations and how to cope with life stress MCP enabled them an opportunity to talk about their problems Counsellors were there to listen to what they had to say Became aware of how violence could affect their children Generally, the responses from both victims and perpetrators were positive. 13) Suggestions to Improve the MCP Both victims and perpetrators suggested the following to improve the MCP: More flexible timings for counselling sessions More joint or couple counselling Counsellors to give advice, rather than just listening Limitations of study: While the responses were forthcoming from the participants in this study, the sample was too small for meaningful generalisation. This was due to the difficulties in contacting both victims and perpetrators and their unwillingness to take part in the survey. One of the key challenges was that the majority of the contact numbers were changed after the completion of MCP. Another challenge was persuading the perpetrators to take part in the survey. Many of them declined to be interviewed or abandoned the interviews mid-way. The study was also limited in the number of no response from the participants. For some questions, respondents were unwilling to give a response. The above limitations thus implied that very little quantitative analyses could be conducted and as such the findings could not be applied to the general population. Post-Survey Action Plans: The findings for this study were shared at the Family Violence Dialogue Group as well as at the Mandatory Counselling Programme networking meeting.

20 18 Chapter 3: Trends and Research on Family Violence At these platforms, the following recommendations were made and discussed: To educate perpetrators and victims that verbal and emotional abuse are also acts of family violence To encourage perpetrators to seek emotional support and to provide them with more avenues for such support. To review the MCP and make enhancements to the programme. Due to the small numbers of re-offenders, statistical analyses could not be conducted to measure significant differences across various socio-economic variables. Family Violence Recidivism Study, MCYS MCYS tracks the recidivism rate for perpetrators who have undergone the MCP. Each yearly cohort is tracked to see if they had breached their Personal Protection Orders (PPOs) within a year upon completion of the programme. For the cohorts of 2004, 2005 and 2006, a total of about 840 MCP clients completed the programme successfully. In general, the MCP has shown a successful outcome. The average recidivism rate for the three cohorts was 3.1%. The majority of participants completed the programme within one year. About 96% of the participants were male, and the largest proportion were aged 40 to 49 years at the time of the Mandatory Counselling Order. Of those who breached their PPOs within 1 year after completing the MCP, all were male and the majority of them completed the programme within one year. It was observed that there was a higher proportion of those aged less than 30 years who breached their PPOs, compared to the overall profile of the MCP participants.

21 19 Chapter 4: Services and Programmes for Families In protecting families from violence or recurrence of violence, a host of services and programmes are provided by various agencies. Police management of family violence cases The police are a key partner in the management and prevention of family violence. They are often the first point of contact for victims and play the critical role of de-escalating violence, investigating, monitoring and prosecuting perpetrators. When dealing with reports of family violence, the police encourage victims to seek help at Family Service Centres and refer victims to doctors for medical attention and to the Family Court for application of Personal Protection Orders. At the prevention level, the police and the social service agencies undertake joint projects to prevent and raise awareness of family violence. The police regularly review and improve their management of family violence cases. In March 2003, a new guideline required police Investigation Officers to give notice to victims or social workers on the release of a family violence perpetrator from police custody, prior to the perpetrator s actual release. This guideline aims to prevent a recurrence of violence against the victim by giving the victim or social worker more time to make safety plans such as looking for alternative accommodation plans where necessary. In November 2004, the police collaborated with the Centre for Promoting Alternatives to Violence (PAVe) on a Joint House Visit Programme. The objective of the Programme is to minimise reoffending by offenders who had breached the Protection Orders after their release from Prisons. The programme entails 3 visits. The social worker visits the offender and victim prior to the former s release from prisons to offer counselling, information and other assistance. After the offender s release, the social worker and the police jointly visit the offender to assess the state of the relationship between the offender and victim, the risk for reoffending and the relevant interventions that may be necessary. The police, on the other hand, will advise the offender to accept the assistance offered by the social worker as well as convey crime prevention advice. Thereafter, the social worker will provide follow-up intervention and support to the offender and victim. The Programme has helped to reduce recurrence of violence and discussion on extending the programme are underway. Community Services At the community level, social service agencies like the neighbourhood-based

22 20 Chapter 4: Services and Programmes for Families Family Service Centres (FSCs) are the key nodes of help, providing counselling and casework intervention, financial assistance, and support groups for families affected by violence. These centres also run the Mandatory Counselling Programme. In addition, there are two social service agencies centres specialising in family violence work. One such centre is the Centre for Promoting Alternatives to Violence (PAVe). Its primary goals are to end family violence and provide alternatives to violent behaviours and to strengthen family relationships. It provides a holistic and wide range of services including preventive programmes for families and children, remedial (casework and counselling) interventions, training programmes for professionals, research, and evaluation. As a one-stop service, it also provides facilities for the application of PPOs through video-conferencing, medical services, legal advice, casework management and counselling services. PAVe s strengths lie in their men s recovery groups and support groups for victims and perpetrators. Another centre is the TRANS Centre which specialises in elder protection work. They too run a video-link service with the Family Court, provide counselling and support for victims of family violence and actively promote awareness of family violence in their community. TRANS Centre also spearheads the multi-disciplinary Elder Protection Team to investigate and intervene in elder abuse cases. The aim of their elder protection work is to protect the elderly from abuse by their family members by investigating and arranging for services to prevent further maltreatment. An important aspect of their work is in empowering families to adopt more positive coping strategies and linking elders and their families to the necessary community resources. Crisis Shelters For victims requiring temporary accommodation, crisis shelters offer protection, practical assistance and emotional support to help them overcome feelings of isolation, develop selfconfidence, make decisions and take control of their lives. Crisis shelters also help victims to work out plans for their future and assist them to obtain alternative accommodation and employment where necessary. Family Court The Family Court provides an array of services to help people who are experiencing family violence. There is an intake section at the Family Court to serve applicants of Protection Orders, who would receive an assessment on their safety needs once the application is filed. In some cases, the victims are referred to crisis shelters. At the hearing of the family violence case, the victims can also choose to testify via video-conferencing if he or she fears confronting the perpetrators directly. The Family Court also runs a Volunteer Support Person programme to offer assistance to victims of family violence. In some cases, the applicants for protection orders may be fearful even to be in the same room as the alleged perpetrators. In other cases, children may be involved as witnesses to violence. In both types of cases, the applicants or their children may be assigned a Volunteer Support Person to help them through the emotionally-trying court process, by accompanying them during court hearings and giving them emotional (as opposed to legal) support. The Family Court has also developed KIDS- Net (Kids In Difficult Situation), an interactive website ( to help children explore the issues of family

23 Chapter 4: Services and Programmes for Families 21 Did you know? The Family Court plays a key role in managing family violence. Cases of family violence are dealt with and managed in accordance with the Family Court s Family Violence Policy. This policy provides, inter alia, that: Applications for protection orders must be dealt with expeditiously (such cases are fixed for the first mention in court within 2 weeks); The safety of the parties in court must be assured (applicants and respondents are segregated in court and applicants may choose to testify by videoconferencing); and The court must enhance accessibility to justice for victims of family violence (for example, applications for protection orders may be made through remote videoconferencing from the social service agencies that are located in housing districts). In addition, the Court must be sensitive to the possible imbalance of powers present in such cases. violence and divorce, and to give them information on how to get help and understand the feelings that surface in such situations. It is used during group work sessions conducted by teacher-counsellors for primary school children. Healthcare Facilities Polyclinics and hospitals provide medical and psychiatric treatment for victims and perpetrators while the Community Addictions Management Programme (CAMP) based at the Institute of Mental Health provides treatment for perpetrators with addiction problems. They are another key link where perpetrators can be identified early and referred for help. Working with Schools Schools are another key partner in identifying and helping children and young persons experiencing violence. A Handbook on Children at Risk was developed by MCYS, NCSS and the Ministry of Education to provide teachers with a common understanding on how to identify, support and help children who are witnesses or victims of family violence.

24 22 Chapter 5: Public Education Preventing Family Violence A key pillar of the family violence management framework is the prevention of family violence. The desired outcomes include the reduction in the incidence of family violence cases in Singapore as well as greater awareness among the public to seek help early and how to do so. After the amendments to the Women s Charter in 1996, MCYS embarked on initiatives to raise awareness of the amendments among social service providers and members of the public. Using the number of PPO/DEO applications as a proxy indicator of public awareness of family violence legislative provisions, the results appear positive. The number of PPO applications increased about 55% from 1,306 in 1996 to 2,019 in Over the years, statistics indicate further increase in the level of awareness. From 1997 to 2008, there have been further increases in the number of applications to about 2,547 in 2008 (Subordinate Courts, 2008). This indicates that the public are more aware of sources of help, such as PPOs and other services for those affected by violence. It also reflects the increasing willingness among victims to seek help for their own safety and that of their children. To educate the public on the sources of help, MCYS together with its partners, promote public awareness on family violence 8. The focus of the public education initiatives has largely been preventive in nature, emphasising the identification of signs of family violence and the need to seek help early. Public education is targeted at two levels - the professionals and service providers, and the public in general. MCYS takes a life-cycle approach in preventing family violence. This starts from promoting healthy family relationships in premarital and marriage workshops to equipping parents to nurture and protect their children. Funding is given to social service agencies to run parent education and marriage enrichment programmes and MCYS actively promotes these programmes through advertisements, articles in the media, seminars and popular personalities. Public education materials like pamphlets, posters and collaterals have also been distributed widely through polyclinics, social service agencies, police, libraries and schools to increase public awareness of the availability of community resources. 8 For a complete listing of public education materials on family violence, please visit the MCYS website at

25 Chapter 5: Public Education 23 MCYS also supports an annual public education drive to raise awareness on family violence. Over the last two years, advertisements were placed in radios, buses and MRT trains. To raise awareness on child abuse and men and family violence, roadshows were organised to reach out to the local community. To establish a baseline and understand the gaps in existing public messaging, MCYS commissioned a study to gather public perception on their awareness on family violence in Dec 2002 to Jan The study was aimed not only at understanding public s perception and attitudes towards violence, but also to explore the level of awareness of avenues to seek help. In 2007, MCYS replicated the study to assess any shift in public perceptions and the levels of awareness of the avenues of help available for family violence. Study on Public Perception on Family Violence, commissioned by MCYS (2003, 2007) Introduction and methodology: In 2003, MCYS commissioned a study on public perception of family violence. A sample of 1,001 respondents participated in a structured questionnaire interview. 200 sampling points across various regions of Singapore were systematically and randomly selected. The age range of the respondents was between 18 to 64 years old and the interviews were conducted in either in English, Mandarin, Malay or Tamil, according to the respondents preference. The study focused on the following areas: Perceptions of family violence Perceptions of family violence involving spouse Perceptions of family violence involving children Perceptions of family violence involving elderly Awareness on help for family violence A second study was commissioned in 2007 to measure the shift in public perception of family violence. A sample of 1, 015 respondents participated in a structured questionnaire interview. The sampling points, age range and the conduct of the interviews in languages according to the respondents preference were similar to Key findings: 1) Perceptions of Family Violence 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Compared to 2003, the findings of the research in 2007 indicated some positive shifts in the public perceptions of family violence. There was more awareness of the need to seek help for family violence. 59% 51% Family violence is a private affair 43% Most family violence will eventually stop by itself 31% 33% % Counselling will not help abusers of family violence

26 24 Chapter 5: Public Education In 2007, there were fewer respondents who held the passive view that family violence was a private affair that should be resolved within the family, as compared to Fewer respondents also agreed that most cases of family violence would eventually stop by itself and that counselling will not help abusers of family violence. 2) Family Violence Involving Spouse 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 22% 19% Physical fighting is part of marriage life 22% 14% Spouse should be forgiven if he/she apologises after abuse Where perceptions of spousal violence were concerned, there were less who agreed that physical fighting between husband and wife was part and parcel of married life in 2007 as compared to There were fewer Singaporeans who were of the view that that they would forgive a spouse if the spouse apologized each time after being abusive. 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 44% 36% Abused spouse has duty to stay in marriage for the sake of young children 21% 10% Abusive spouse should not be reported to the authorities The study findings also showed that there were fewer respondents who agreed with the opinion that an abused spouse had a duty to stay in marriage for the sake of young children. There was a decrease in Singaporeans who agreed that they should not report an abusive spouse to the authorities. Such figures signaled less reluctance from Singaporeans to seek help for breaking out from the vicious cycle of family violence. 3) Family Violence Involving Children 14% 12% 10% 8% 6% 4% % 3% 12% 11% % 0% Acceptance for parent to hit child under influence of drugs.alcohol Acceptable for stressed parent to hit child

27 Chapter 5: Public Education 25 Similar to 2003, only a small percentage of Singaporeans were of the view that it was acceptable for a parent to hit his/her child under the influence of drugs/alcohol or due to stress. 70% 60% 50% 40% 53% 58% 34% 35% % 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 47% 58% 30% 46% % 20% 10% 0% Elderly who are sick are more likely to be abused Only outsiders sexually abuses the elderly 0% Single parent is more likely to vent frustration on the child Disabled children are more likely to be abused In 2007, slightly more than half of the respondents agreed that a single parent is more likely to vent his/her frustration on the child as compared to More Singaporeans also agreed that disabled children are more likely to be abused. This showed that Singaporeans are more aware of the factors that will increase the vulnerability of children towards family violence. 4) Family Violence Involving the Elderly More than half of the respondents (58%) continued to recognize that the elderly who were ill were more likely to experience abuse. There was a slight increase in Singaporeans (35%) who felt that only outsiders would sexually abuse the elderly. 5) Awareness Of Help The study findings indicated that 73% of Singaporeans reported that they were aware of where to go for help when they experience family violence. As compared to 2003, more respondents (74%) indicated that they would approach the police for help, followed by the Family Service Centres (26%). Similar to 2003, the majority of respondents were less tolerant towards acts of violence involving the elderly. In 2007, 89% of Singaporeans were of the view that it was not acceptable to abuse an elderly family member even if the latter had been previously abusive. 97% of the respondents were also of the opinion that it was not acceptable for a person who is under the influence of drugs/alcohol to hit the elderly. 95% of Singaporeans also felt that it was not acceptable for a person who is provoked to hit the elderly. 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% 60% 74% Approach the police % 26% Approach the Family Service Centres

28 26 Chapter 5: Public Education Similar to 2003, respondents suggested creating greater awareness of family violence issues through avenues like television programmes, television and radio advertisements, as well as newspaper and magazine advertisements. 6) Conclusion The 2007 study indicated that there were generally more public awareness of family violence and there had been positive shifts in the public perception of Singaporeans pertaining to family violence. This indicated that the public education initiatives generated following the 2003 study had been effective. Community education efforts should continue to inform the public on the avenues of help available and to address the myths that are preventing the public from seeking help. Public Education Initiatives The Public Perception Study on Family Violence 2003 and 2007 showed that more mass media publicity was needed to increase awareness of family violence. Since 2003, greater publicity through the mass media was generated such as using advertisements and editorial write-ups in newspapers and magazines. Information on the different types of abuse and advice on where to get help is now available online at the family and community development e-citizen website ( There are also games, quizzes and stories to help children understand family violence.

29 Chapter 5: Public Education 27

30 28 Chapter 5: Public Education Besides mass media efforts, community education and early prevention through reaching out to children and youths is equally important. In 2007 and 2008, MCYS commissioned a 45-minute assembly show for primary school students. It comprised a 30-minute play performance followed by a 15-minute interactive quiz session, facilitated by social workers from the centre for Promoting Alternatives to Violence (PAVe). Specifically written for children of schoolgoing age, the play informed children on what family violence is and the need to seek help. It also taught students how to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence. All students who watched the play received a pen with helpline numbers. An exhibition on family violence was also held in schools to further reinforce the messages. To encourage and incentivise social service agencies to raise public awareness on family violence, MCYS started a Co-Funding Scheme in 2003 where the government co-funds public awareness projects organised at the community level. This scheme has successfully harnessed grassroots energy and creativity, fostered multi-agency collaboration and multiplied our public education efforts. Co-funded projects in recent years included Mentari, a docudrama on family violence broadcasted on Suria in 2007 and 2008 produced by AIN society; the Dating Violence Awareness Week by PAVe; and the White Ribbon Campaign, targetted at men to end violence against women, by AWARE.

31 29 Chapter 6: Successes and Challenges Chapter 1 through 5 of this publication provided extensive descriptions of the legislative, policy and practice frameworks, as well as services and research on family violence. Given the comprehensive coverage, this chapter evaluates Singapore s management of family violence in terms of its successes and challenges. Successes Interagency Networking System In many aspects, the networking system can be considered a major key success in Singapore s management of family violence. The platforms to realise the Many Helping Hands approach, such as the Family Violence Dialogue Group and the National Family Violence Networking System, have been successfully put into place and are functioning well. For the public, the networking system translates into a one-stop service for those affected by family violence. Sources of help are more accessible and it is more convenient for victims to obtain services and assistance. The success of the interagency networking system stems from the commitment demonstrated by the Singapore government in seeing its family violence policies through, and in the collaboration with the civil society in providing services for victims and perpetrators of violence. The well-integrated and extensive network of support ensures a seamless delivery of services to families, victims and perpetrators. Legislative Initiatives The amendments to the Women s Charter in 1996 represent a bold step forward in Singapore s management of family violence to be more in line with international standards and practices. It expanded the definition of family violence to include psychological abuse and brought under its provision, other categories of family members beyond married spouses and children. The amendments also helped ease the issuance of protection orders. The Subordinate Courts conducted a study in 2001 on the quality and effectiveness of the Protection Orders. The results of the study indicated that more than 80% of the applicants for protection orders felt that there had been an improvement in their lives, and that they felt safer and better since the issue of the protection orders. The results show that Protection Orders were quite effective in terms of improving the subjective quality of life of the victims, and in reducing physical violence inflicted by the respondent on the applicant (Subordinate Courts, 2001).

32 30 Chapter 6: Successes and Challenges Mandatory Counselling Programme The Mandatory Counselling Programme has been found to be beneficial for majority of the perpetrators and victims based on the feedback received from the evaluation study. In 2005, the Mandatory Counselling Programme was reviewed in consultation with key stakeholders and recommendations were made to enhance the Programme. The key recommendations included developing a Practice Guide to put in place standards, guidelines, and core counselling content expected of the programme; streamlining work processes to increase timely response to clients; establishing an outcome management framework to inculcate a culture of outcomebased thinking and action which focuses on effectiveness; and instituting a training framework for MCP Practitioners to raise professional standards. The recommendations pertaining to practice guide and streamlining of work processes have been implemented while the remaining ones will be implemented in phases. These efforts will serve to enhance the delivery and quality of counselling for families. Challenges Strengthening the System A co-ordinated response is crucial in combating and reducing the long-term cost and effects of family violence. Initially, the challenge in setting up Singapore s family violence system was to get everyone to work together. Now, with the system well in place, one of the key challenges is to ensure that the system continues to work well and the gaps are plugged promptly. This not only requires closer cooperation between the various parties in the networking system, it also requires more resources with more partners to extend the network. In this regard, engaging faith-based organisations is an example of how new partners can be roped in. Sensitising Frontline Workers The sensitization of frontline workers to issues of family violence and the needs of victims and perpetrators are critical in the management of cases. Frontline workers like police officers, hospital personnel and social service agencies, must know how to handle family violence victims sensitively and encourage them to seek help. To this end, ongoing and innovative ways of training need to be explored. Continual efforts to engage new service providers are crucial to ensure that the needs of victims and their family members are attended to promptly and sensitively. Educating the Public The public perception study on family violence conducted in 2003 indicated that more could be done in educating the public, especially in the areas of psychological and emotional abuse. The study indicated that most people did not consider some forms of emotional abuse (such as frequent and prolonged criticism) as a form of family violence. Participants were most likely to associate family violence with physical violence. Although there has been improvements in the 2007 Study on Public Perception of Family Violence, many still view family violence as a private affair (51%) that should be resolved within the family. This perception might lead to victims being reluctant to seek help, or deter concerned family members and friends from reporting violence or abuse. The challenge for public education would be to change these mindsets as family violence

33 Chapter 6: Successes and Challenges 31 often worsens over time, resulting in fatalities in the most severe cases. Encouraging Local Research Local research on family violence is relatively lacking. Currently, while evaluative studies are being done on various topics related to family violence, they are still in their infancy stage. A more systematic and sustainable approach for conducting evaluative research on the family violence management system might perhaps yield a clearer picture on the effectiveness of the family violence management system in Singapore. Conclusion Over the last ten years, Singapore has transformed the way it has managed family violence. Today, there is a comprehensive and holistic network of services where trained professionals intervene in family violence cases sensitively. MCYS and its partners are committed to keeping the system well-coordinated and effective so as to build a safe and nurturing environment for our families and children.

34 32 Reference REFERENCES Amirthalingam, K. (2003). A feminist critique of domestic violence laws in Singapore and Malaysia. ARI Working Paper Series, 6, Herrera, V. M., & McCloskey, L.A. (2001). Gender differences in the risk for delinquency among youth exposed to family violence. Child Abuse and Neglect, 25, Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS). (2004). Singapore s Integrated Management of Family Violence. Subordinate Courts. (1998). A profile of family violence. Subordinate Courts Research Bulletin, Issue No. 13. Subordinate Courts. (2001). Study of the effectiveness of protection orders. Subordinate Courts Research Bulletin, Issue No. 28. Susan L. Keilitz, Courtenay Davis, Hillery S. Efkemen, Carol Flango and Puala L. Harrisonford of the National Center for State Courts (1998). National Institute of Justice Research Review, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs. Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS). (2002). Singapore s Initial Report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS). (2006). The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). WEBSITES Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports ( United Nations Development Fund for Women ( Family Court ( Family and Community ecitizen (

35 Flow Chart On the Management Of Family Violence Cases 33 FLOW CHART ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE CASES Victim approaches Social Service Agency/Police Conduct risk assessment of victim, children and other family members Work out safety plans Provide casework assistance and counselling Refer victim to Crisis Shelter if necessary Has victim made a Police report? Does victim have a PPO? Does victim need medical treatment? Assist victim to make a Police report Assist victim to apply for PPO Assist victim to hospital if necessary Case is followed-up and reviewed Case is Closed

36 34 Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to express our thanks to the following branches and organisations who contributed extensively to this publication, without which this publication would not be completed successfully: Policy Branch Programme Branch Family and Child Protection and Welfare Branch Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports The Subordinate Courts of Singapore The Singapore Police Force Ministry of Home Affairs

37 Important Contact Details 35 Important Contact Details If you wish to find out more about family violence, you can call the following: Child Protection and Welfare Services Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports ComCare Call (to contact your nearest Family Service Centre) Centre for Promoting Alternatives to Violence (PAVe) (TRANS Centre) Protection Order Services The Family and Juvenile Court Tribunal for the Maintenance of Parents or

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40 A publication by the Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) October 2009