Written Answer to Unanswered Oral Question

Child Protection Services Cases Reported by Victims, Family Members, Members of the Public and Community Partners

Speakers

Transcript

69 Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in each year for the past five years, how many of the child protection investigations made by the Child Protective Service (CPS) have been reported by (i) the victims themselves (ii) family members (iii) concerned members of the public and (iv) CPS partners in the community.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF)'s Child Protective Service (CPS) investigates cases involving serious abuse or neglect of children and young persons. There has been an increase in public awareness of child abuse over the years and reporting of violence has been made easier through the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline launched in 2021.

Direct reports to CPS by children, family members and members of public made up less than 0.5%, 1.5% and 1.5% of CPS investigation cases. The remaining cases came from our community touchpoints such as preschools, schools, healthcare facilities, Police and social service agencies. These touchpoints would typically have received the initial information from the child or a close family member.