Citation

Wong PY, How CH, Wong P. Singapore Med. J. 2013; 54(10): 533-537.

Affiliation

SingHealth Polyclinics - Sengkang, 2 Sengkang Square, Sengkang Community Hub, #01-06, Singapore 545025. wong.pei.ying@singhealth.com.sg.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Singapore Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24154576

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.

Language: en