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