SINGAPORE – Child abuse cases rose in Singapore in 2024, with those aged seven to 12 making up the largest group of children abused by a loved one.
New high-risk cases increased by 14.5 per cent, from 2,011 in 2023 to 2,303 in 2024. These cases managed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF’s) Protective Service are classified as Tier 2 cases, involving significant safety and risk concerns.
Tier 1 cases – generally lower-risk cases managed by community agencies – also climbed, rising 18 per cent from 2,787 to 3,292. Some cases may shift between tiers if their severity changes.
Overall, domestic violence cases, including spousal and elder abuse, went up in 2024.
The increase reflects growing awareness and a greater willingness among victims, families and the public to report abuse, MSF said in its Domestic Violence Trends Report released on Dec 10.
This has enabled more people to seek help earlier, reducing the chances of cases remaining hidden or escalating, the ministry said.
It expects reported cases to stay elevated in the medium term as detection and reporting improve, before numbers stabilise over time.
Child abuse – involving those under the age of 18 – can include physical, sexual, emotional or psychological harm, as well as neglect.
Among the different types of abuse, physical abuse was most common among Tier 2 child abuse cases in 2024. The number of physical abuse cases rose from 888 in 2023 to 1,171 in 2024.
Ms Natalie Lim, director of the family, community and specialist division at Allkin Singapore, said that physical abuse signs are more easily identifiable by first responders in a child’s life, like teachers, neighbours, medical and social service professionals, and members of the public.
“With high awareness and ongoing vigilance across this network, indicators of physical harm are often picked up earlier,” she said.
MSF said the overall incidence rate of more severe, or Tier 2, new child abuse cases in 2024 remained relatively low, at under three per 1,000 children.
An example of a lower-risk case cited in the report is a family facing significant emotional and financial stress, which may affect their children.
Situations where children receive inappropriate or excessive discipline, but their caregivers are receptive to help to improve their parenting, are categorised as cases with a moderate safety and risk concern.
