Programmes to Help Schools Handle Sexual Assault and Harassment
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns MP Chen Show Mao’s inquiry regarding school programmes for handling sexual assault and harassment and educating students and staff about their rights. Minister Ng Chee Meng explained that students learn about personal safety, legal protections, and seeking help through the Ministry of Education’s Sexuality Education curriculum. He stated that schools follow Ministry of Social and Family Development guidelines for reporting cases, with teachers and counsellors providing support to distressed students. Staff experiencing harassment are encouraged to seek guidance from school leaders and professional counsellors, as the Ministry investigates every reported case of misconduct. These measures ensure that suspected abuse is managed sensitively through inter-agency cooperation while upholding the right to safety for all school members.
Transcript
28 Mr Chen Show Mao asked the Minister for Education (Schools) what are the programmes to help (i) schools handle sexual assault and harassment in schools and (ii) students, teachers and staff understand their rights in cases of sexual assault and harassment.
Mr Ng Chee Meng: Students learn about personal safety and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse in the Ministry of Education's (MOE's) Sexuality Education curriculum. They are taught how to recognise sexual abuse and harassment, acquire skills to protect themselves both in real life and online, and understand the laws in Singapore that protect them. They also learn that they have the right to safety and protection and to seek help from trusted adults, such as their parents, teachers and school counsellors.
Teachers look out for signs of distress in students and refer them to the school counsellor or other professional support where necessary. Suspected cases of sexual abuse are managed sensitively. Guidelines are provided by Child Protection Services, Ministry of Social and Family Development, for reporting such cases, and MOE and schools work closely with Child Protection Services to support affected students.
For teachers and staff who experienced harassment or abuse at work, they are advised to seek the support and guidance of their school leaders. Those who are psychologically or emotionally affected will be supported by professional counsellors. MOE takes a serious view of any inappropriate conduct that is committed against our teachers and staff and will investigate and take the appropriate action in each and every case.