{"id":96381,"date":"2026-10-29T20:16:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-29T12:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=96381"},"modified":"2026-10-29T20:16:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-29T12:16:09","slug":"men-account-for-20-of-spousal-abuse-victims-in-singapore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=96381","title":{"rendered":"Men account for 20% of spousal abuse victims in Singapore"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"text-primary article-summary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">SINGAPORE \u2013 <!-- -->More abused husbands sought help in 2025, accounting for about one in five of the spousal violence cases that year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">There were 337 spousal violence cases<!-- --> in 2025 where the victim was the husband, a 12% rise from the 302 in 2024.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Overall, more people \u2013 both men and women \u2013 reported that their spouses were violent to them in 2025, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/community\/more-child-abuse-cases-in-spore-in-2025-reports-to-anti-violence-helpline-jump-49?ref=inline-article\" rel=\"noopener\" class=\"gap-x-04 items-center inline text-primary-60 select-auto\" aria-label=\"link\" target=\"_blank\" data-testid=\"custom-link\"><span class=\"inline font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"typography-test-id\">the latest Domestic Violence Trends Report,<\/span><\/a> released on Oct 29 by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF).<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Spousal violence cases in Tier 1, which refer to lower-risk cases,<!-- --> rose 23% over two years \u2013 from 1,560 cases in 2023 to 1,871 in 2024 and 1,920 in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The latest report provided a gender breakdown of spousal violence cases for the first time \u2013 82% of victims were wives in 2025, while 18% were husbands.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/NoLVw\/1\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">More than half of the abused spouses are in their 30s or 40s.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Physical violence was the most common primary form of abuse for all victims, with about two in three of them experiencing this.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Emotional and psychological abuse was the second most common primary form of <!-- -->abuse.<!-- --> Social workers say victims often suffer from more than one form of <!-- -->abuse<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The report noted that the larger number of physical abuse cases may reflect how victims \u2013 and those around them \u2013 are better able to recognise physical harm as family violence and are more likely to seek help to keep themselves safe.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/HAaDT\/3\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Social workers <!-- -->told The Straits Times<!-- --> that men tend to under-report being abused by their wives due to shame and traditional expectations of how men should behave.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">But<!-- --> they believe that<!-- --> greater awareness <!-- -->of the different forms of<!-- --> domestic violence, including emotional abuse and coercive control, may spur more men to seek help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Besides being hit, scratched and having objects thrown at them, <!-- -->some of the men the professionals come across<!-- --> also suffer emotional and psychological abuse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">They <!-- -->may be<!-- --> constantly belittled, humiliated and threatened by their wives, said Cherylene Aw, senior director at TRANS Family Services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Their wives may restrict their contact with others, monitor their activities and use various methods to control and influence their decisions, she added.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Domestic abuse cases in Singapore still rising in 2025\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mkBl332skoQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Anne Chui, head of Allkin Family Service Centre@Ang Mo Kio 230, said: \u201cSome men may initially minimise what is happening <!-- -->(to them)<!-- --> or see it as part of ordinary marital disagreements.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThey may also feel embarrassed about seeking help because of societal expectations of how men should cope.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">\u201cThey may seek support when the situation escalates or when they become concerned for their own safety or when the conflict begins to affect their children.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"font-primary-headline-md-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">More seniors, vulnerable adults face abuse<\/h2>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">MSF\u2019s<!-- --> 43-page report \u2013 its <!-- -->third edition \u2013<!-- --> details key trends in child, spousal and senior abuse, among other issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The number of abused seniors also rose in 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">There were 290 new Tier 1 cases, or lower-risk cases, of elder abuse, a 26% increase from the 230 in 2023. In 2024, there were 283 such cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/JkhYS\/2\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In <!-- -->2025<!-- -->, two in three of the abused seniors were women<!-- -->.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Physical violence was the most common type of abuse,<!-- --> <!-- -->followed by emotional and psychological abuse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">There were also 12 cases classified as other kinds of abuse, which include financial exploitation by family members.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/s6Ql5\/2\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The<!-- --> report also addressed the harm family members inflict on vulnerable adults.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">These adults are aged 18 and older, whose mental or physical disability, infirmity or incapacity renders them unable to protect themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The number of new Tier 2 vulnerable adults cases rose from 65 in 2023 to 70 in 2024 and to 104 in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Tier 2 cases are those with high safety and risk concerns, such as a senior suffering head injuries, burns or fractures caused by a caregiver.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">An MSF spokesperson told ST that most of the elderly vulnerable adults were abused by their own children.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"responsive-iframe-base none\" title=\"dynamic_iframe_wrapper\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/datawrapper.dwcdn.net\/QqQ63\/1\/\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer;undefinedclipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"responsiveIframe\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">In 2024, the MSF\u2019s Protective Service, which manages high-risk abuse cases, introduced the Vulnerable Adult Structured Decision-Making Tool to help social service agencies and healthcare institutions identify abuse.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The tool gives professionals a clearer and more standardised framework to decide when to report <!-- -->cases<!-- --> to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">This could have improved the detection <!-- -->of<!-- --> vulnerable adults, leading to more cases being reported.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">While physical abuse was the most common form of violence among high-risk vulnerable adult cases \u2013 doubling from 27 cases in 2024 to 55 in 2025 \u2013 neglect was a close second with 42 cases in 2025.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Neglect occurs when the physical, caregiving or medical needs of the adults are not met and their living conditions deteriorate, among other concerns.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Aw <!-- -->said<!-- --> the reasons for <!-- -->elder<!-- --> abuse are often complex and multi-faceted and may include longstanding family conflict, caregiving stress, a history of violence within the family and the lack of caregiving skills and knowledge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Cases that Aw has seen include <!-- -->seniors who depend on their adult children <!-- -->for daily needs, while<!-- --> the children face financial and other stresses.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">T<!-- -->ensions may build and escalate<!-- --> to controlling behaviour, verbal aggression and even physical harm.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Seniors may be reluctant to report the abuse out of love, and also<!-- --> because they are dependent on the child.<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Aw<!-- --> added: \u201cSocial isolation and codependence can also increase risk, particularly when the older person and caregiver have limited alternative sources of support. This can make it harder for others to notice the abuse and for the older person to seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-16 p-16 tablet:p-24 border border-default nested-element rounded-md break-words tablet:break-normal\" data-testid=\"nested-elements-test-id\">\n<h2 class=\"font-primary-headline-md-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Helplines<\/h2>\n<h3 class=\"font-primary-headline-sm-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Mental well-being<\/h3>\n<div class=\"article-list-container\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-test-id\">\n<ul class=\"pl-22 list-disc article-list-wrapper\">\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">National Mindline: 1771 (24 hours) \/ 6669-1771 (via WhatsApp)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Samaritans of Singapore: 1-767 (24 hours) \/ 9151-1767 (24 hours CareText via WhatsApp)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Silver Ribbon Singapore: 6386-1928<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Chat, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health: 6493-6500\/1<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Women\u2019s Helpline (Aware): 1800-777-5555 (weekdays, 10am to 6pm)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">The Seniors Helpline: 1800-555-5555\u00a0(weekdays,\u00a09am to 5pm)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Tinkle Friend (for primary school-age children): 1800-2744-788<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Mindfull Community HQ (for caregivers, families and persons in recovery): 6460-4400 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"font-primary-headline-sm-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Counselling<\/h3>\n<div class=\"article-list-container\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-test-id\">\n<ul class=\"pl-22 list-disc article-list-wrapper\">\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Touchline (Counselling): 1800-377-2252<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Touch Care Line (for caregivers): 6804-6555<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Counselling and Care Centre: 6536-6366<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">We Care Community Services: 3165-8017<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Shan You Counselling Centre: 6741-9293<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Clarity Singapore: 6757-7990<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"article-list-item list-item\" data-testid=\"bulleted-article-list-item-test-id\">\n<p class=\"text-primary font-tertiary-body-baseline-regular\" data-testid=\"article-paragraph-annotation-test-id\">Care Corner Counselling Centre: 6353-1180<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h3 class=\"font-primary-headline-sm-semibold\" data-testid=\"article-subhead-test-id\">Online resources<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/singapore\/community\/men-comprise-nearly-1-in-5-spousal-violence-victims-in-spore-more-abused-husbands-seeking-help\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>SINGAPORE \u2013 More abused husbands sought help in 2025, accounting for about one in five of the spousal violence cases that year. There were 337&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":96383,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2611],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96381","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buzz-headlines","wpcat-2611-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=96381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96381\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/96383"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=96381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=96381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=96381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}