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Family or Domestic Violence

Last updated: 02 June 2022

Family violence

If you or someone you know are facing family violence, please call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) at 1800-777-0000 (24/7, open to all genders and ages).

If there is imminent danger to life and safety

Please call the police at 999, or go to your nearest neighbourhood Police Post or Centre for help. The police can provide you with a referral letter to go to the hospital for medical examination and treatment. You can also see our guide to making a police report

If there is physical injury

Please seek medical treatment or examination at your nearest hospital or clinic. Even if you or the person you are supporting do not wish to take action against the abuser, it is advisable that you visit the doctor to have your injuries treated as well as documented as evidence of the abuse.

If you are looking for shelter

Most crisis shelters in Singapore require referrals from an agency. If you are experiencing family/domestic violence and are in need of temporary shelter, please approach a Family Service Centres , the police, or one of the following Family Violence Specialist Centres:

For more information on family violence and what you can do, please visit MSF’s page on family violence

Child abuse

Please call the police at 999 immediately if the child’s life and safety is in imminent danger.

If you suspect that a minor is in need of support, you can contact the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000 (24/7, open to all genders and ages).

Child Protection Services

You can also contact any of the following Child Protection Services who offer specialised support services for children:

Advice for first responders

AWARE’s SACC has advice for responding to cases of child sexual abuse :

  • “A supportive, non-judgmental first response is pivotal in cases of child sexual abuse. If a child speaks up, listen and believe them. If you notice behavioural changes or sexualised behaviour in a child, gently investigate instead of shutting the child down. Though first instincts might be to scold, there are better ways to listen, show empathy, and seek help together with the survivor—e.g. by allowing the child to finish speaking, and assuring them that they are listened to, not judged or blamed.”
Further information

For more information, please refer to the following: