I THANK Ms Jen Goh ('Five areas to improve protection of foreign
brides') and Mr Balasingam-Chow Yu Hui ('Children of abused foreign
mums deserve proper care') for their letters on March23; and Mr
Gilbert Goh ('Check finances of men taking foreign brides') for his
Forum Online letter on March 24.
Any victim of family abuse, regardless of nationality, should
seek and will receive assistance.
The National Family Violence Networking System links social
service agencies, schools, hospitals and the police in order to
provide multiple access points for assistance. Crisis shelters,
medical treatment, psychological support, counselling, and
financial and legal aid are available to all victims of family
abuse.
We recognise that foreign wives and their children may lack
local family or kinship support, and deserve extra attention.
Social workers at the crisis shelters work with these women to
prevent and deter violence, provide support and practical
assistance and safeguard their children. Affected children deemed
to be at risk of harm will be assisted by the Child Protection
Service.
Foreign wives are accorded the same protections as Singaporean
women under the Women's Charter.
The court may grant a personal protection order in situations
where family violence has occurred or is likely to occur. Charges
may be brought against the perpetrator under the Penal Code for
voluntarily causing grievous hurt.
Under the Singapore Constitution, children of married couples
are accorded Singaporean citizenship, as long as one parent is a
Singapore citizen. Singaporean children can avail themselves of all
financial assistance schemes for preschool and student care under
ComCare.
Foreign spouses on long-term visit passes may apply for the
relevant work passes from the Ministry of Manpower to work in
Singapore.
The community development councils and family service centres
provide support to the foreign mothers and children while the
mothers look for work.
Public education material on marriage laws and information on
avenues of help are provided in various languages at the Registry
of Marriages. Victims of abuse should seek help early and not let
the situation deteriorate. They should call the ComCare hotline on
1800-222-000 or the police in times of emergency.
Corinne Koh (Mrs)
Director of Social Welfare
Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports