Complaints of Abuse or Neglect of Children Made to National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Social and Family Development for each year in the past five years, how many and what percentage of the complaints made to the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline of abuse or neglect of children are (i) reported to the Police (ii) referred to the Child Protective Services (iii) referred to Family Service Centres and (iv) referred to other social service agencies respectively.

The National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) was launched in February 2021. It received about 2,200 and 2,400 enquiries related to abuse or neglect of children in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Of these enquiries received by the NAVH, 17%, 10% and 23% were referred to MSF’s Child Protective Service, Family Service Centres and other social and community agencies (for example, Protection Specialist Centres, schools, healthcare providers) respectively. Of the remaining enquiries, they were already receiving existing support services or were assessed to have no abuse or neglect concerns.

Eight percent of the enquiries received by NAVH on child abuse or neglect were reported to the Police concurrently.