Abuse, Neglect, and Protection

I am worried that a vulnerable person may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

I am worried that a vulnerable person may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

I am worried that a vulnerable person may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

I am worried that a vulnerable person may be experiencing abuse or neglect.

  • Contact the police
  • Call the 24-hour National Anti-violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800 777 0000

Seek help by contacting the police and the 24-hour National Anti-violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800 777 0000. 

 

You may also file an application for a personal protection order under the Women’s Charter 1961 in the Family Justice Courts to protect your family member from violence caused by another family member.

 

If you are at least 18 years old, you can file an application to protect your mentally incapacitated family member.

 

Two conditions must be proven on a balance of probabilities before a Personal Protection Order (PPO) may be granted: 

  • "family violence" must have been committed or be likely to be committed on a family member; and
  • the PPO must be necessary for the protection of that family member. A PPO may even be issued where family violence has not yet occurred but is likely to occur.

 

Approach a Protection Specialist Centres (PSC) to file an application for a personal protection order: https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/services/SVC-FVSCF/protection-specialist-centre-psc.   

The CYPA provides the legal framework to protect children and young persons from abuse or neglect. The CYPA defines a child as a person who is below 14 years of age while a young person is 14 years of age or older but below 18 years of age.

In general, a child or young person would be considered to be in need of care and protection if he or she:

  • Has been abandoned by a parent or guardian, and no suitable person is willing or able to care for the child or young person.
  • Has a parent or guardian who is unable or has neglected to provide adequate food, clothing, medical aid, housing, care or other life necessities for the child or young person.
  • Has a parent or guardian who is unable or has neglected to properly supervise and control the child or young person, which causes the child or young person to fall into bad company and be exposed to danger.
  • Has been or is at risk of being ill-treated by a parent or guardian or by any other person whom a parent or guardian has not protected them from.
  • Needs to be examined or treated for health conditions and developmental concerns, but whose parent or guardian has neglected or refused to do so.
  • Behaves in a manner that is harmful or likely to be harmful to the child or young person, or to other people, but the parent or guardian of the child or young person is unable or unwilling to take necessary steps to remedy the situation or takes steps that fail.
  • Suffers or is likely to suffer from emotional harm due to emotional or psychological abuse by a parent or guardian.

A care and protection order is a court order to keep children and young persons who are in need of care or protection safe. The court may order the parent or guardian to sign a bond to exercise proper care and guardianship of the child or young person or have the child or young person to be taken care of by a fit person or stay in a place of safety for a specified period of time.

 

In certain cases, the court may issue an enhanced care and protection order. These orders provide stability in care arrangements for children and young persons up to the age of 21.

The Director-General of Social Welfare or a protection officer from the Ministry of Social and Family Development can make an application to the court for care and protection order of a child or young person who is in need of care or protection.

A "vulnerable adult" is an individual who is 18 years or older and is, by reason of their mental or physical infirmity, disability, or incapacity, incapable of protecting themselves from abuse, neglect, or self-neglect.

 

This covers a wide range of situations, including adults with dementia, severe mental illness, intellectual disability, or significant physical disability that affects their ability to protect themselves.

The VAA is guided by the following key principles:

  • Any exercise of power or duty sanctioned by the VAA must be for the protection of the adult from abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
  • The adult who has mental capacity is generally best placed to decide how he/ she wishes to live and whether or not to accept assistance.
  • The views, wishes, feelings, values and beliefs of a vulnerable adult who lacks mental capacity must be considered.
  • The duty sanctioned by the VAA must be carried out in a manner that is the least restrictive of the person’s right and freedom of action.
  • The welfare and best interest of the person must be the first and paramount consideration.

Yes. Courts can order that a vulnerable adult be committed to a "place of safety" for a fixed period.  If the committal is for more than 6 months, the court must be satisfied that the longer committal is in the vulnerable adult's best interests.

 

Beyond court orders, the Director-General of Social Welfare has powers under the VAA to remove a vulnerable adult to a place of temporary care and protection in urgent situations, even without a court order first, if there is immediate danger.

If the vulnerable adult who is at least 21 years of age has the mental capacity to make the application, he or she can file the application.

 

If he or she is below 21 years old, a litigation representative would have to act on his or her behalf. A lawyer must also be appointed to file the application.

 

If the vulnerable adult lacks mental capacity to make the application, the application can be filed by his or her family member who is at least 21 years of age or the vulnerable adult’s donee (if a Lasting Power of Attorney was made) or deputy (if a deputyship order has been made). 

If the court is satisfied (on a balance of probabilities) that (1) the vulnerable adult has experienced, is experiencing, or is at risk of abuse, neglect, or self-neglect, and (2) the order is necessary for the vulnerable adult's protection and safety, the following orders can be made:

  • Supervision Order: The court can order that the vulnerable adult be placed under the supervision of a protector for a specified period. 
  • Restraining Order: An order restraining a person from abusing the vulnerable adult. A restraining order is meant to restrain a respondent from abusing or further abusing the vulnerable adult, and it applies only where abuse (not neglect) is shown. 
  • Domestic Exclusion Order: The court can exclude a respondent from the vulnerable adult's residence. 
  • Non-access Order/Non-visitation/Non-communication Order: A non-access order can prohibit a respondent from entering or remaining in certain areas or places the vulnerable adult frequents, and a non-visitation or non-communication order can stop contact with the vulnerable adult. 
  • Committal to a place of safety: The court may order the vulnerable adult to be placed in a care facility with restricted contact with the person causing harm. 
  • Counselling Order: The court can order a respondent to attend counselling.

 

The full set of orders that the Court can be make can be found at Section 14 of the VAA.

Find out more:

 

Legal Guidance and Representation: 

  • Legal Aid: Check what legal aid you can apply for here (Note: legal aid is for individuals unable to afford a lawyer, and the application process will likely involve means-testing).
  • Find a Lawyer: If you do not qualify for legal aid, you may find a lawyer using the following directories:

 

Social assistance: 

  • Make an online report: If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, seek help by contacting the National Anti-Violence & Sexual Harassment Helpline. You may call 1800-777-0000 or make an online report.
  • Approach a Protection Specialist Centre (PSC): PSCs provide a holistic range of socio-emotional, supportive and practical services to survivors, including their families and other vulnerable members in the family in order to address the danger and likelihood of future harm posed to the survivors and meet the survivors’ needs. Services provided include: Casework, counselling and application of personal protection orders.