Singapore Med J 2013; 54(10): 533-537; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2013196
Management of child abuse
Wong PY, How CH, Wong P
Correspondence: Dr Wong Pei Ying, wong.pei.ying@singhealth.com.sg
ABSTRACT
Children deserve a childhood free from abuse, where their basic physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs are met. Child abuse is defined as any act of omission or commission by a parent or guardian that would endanger or impair the child’s physical or emotional well-being, or that is judged by a mixture of community values and professionals to be inappropriate. A total of 247 cases of suspected child abuse in Singapore was investigated in 2012. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, and physical neglect or emotional abuse accounted for 60%, 30% and 10% of these cases, respectively. Primary care providers play an important role in the early detection and referral of child abuse cases, which enable timely intervention to ensure the well-being of the child and prevent further abuse. Hospitals and other medical centres form the largest source of referrals of suspected child abuse.
Keywords: child neglect, child maltreatment, child mistreatment, domestic violence
Singapore Med J 2013; 54(10): 533-537; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2013196
REFERENCES
| 1. LG Goh. Management of child abuse in Singapore. Singapore Fam Physician 2011; 37:17-24. |
| |
| 2. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. National Standards for Protection of Children. Singapore: Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, 2002. |
| |
| 3. Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. Protecting Children in Singapore/Rehabilitation and Protection Division, Singapore: Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, 2005. |
| |
| 4. Ministry of Social and Family Development. Child Abuse Investigations. In: Child Abuse Investigations – Ministry of Social and Family Development [online]. Available at: http://app.msf.gov.sg/ResearchRoom/ResearchStatistics/ChildAbuseInvestig.... Accessed October 10, 2013. |
| |
| 5. Child Welfare Information Gateway. What is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms. Washington: Children's Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013. |
| |
| 6. Smith A. Nonaccidental injury in childhood. Aust Fam Physician 2011; 40:858-61. |
| |
| 7. Coleman DL, Dodge KA, Campbell SK. Where and how to draw the line between reasonable corporal punishment and abuse. Law Contemp Probl 2010; 73:107-66. |
