Abused, neglected seniors and adults to get protection with proposed new law
Reuters file photo
SINGAPORE — Officers from the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) could be given powers to enter homes, obtain information and examine records, and even temporarily relocate those who might be suffering from abuse, neglect, or self-neglect under a proposed new law to help protect vulnerable adults.
The new Vulnerable Adults Bill was introduced in Parliament on Tuesday (March 20) by Minister for Social and Family Development Desmond Lee.
Coming against a backdrop of Singapore’s rapidly ageing population where more seniors are expected to live alone, the bill aims to protect vulnerable adults who have “fallen through the net of family and community support” from abuse and neglect, said the MSF.
According to the ministry’s statistics, there will be over 900,000 residents aged 65 and above by 2030, and a number of them will be single or have no children. The number of people living alone is projected to increase from 35,000 in 2012 to 83,000 in 2030.
“This is of concern as elderly who develop dementia and ageing persons with disabilities may not be able to adequately care for themselves,” said the MSF.
“Such individuals are particularly susceptible to abuse, neglect and self-neglect.”
Through this bill, social service professionals can also seek support from the state to gain access to vulnerable adults whom they have had difficulty reaching out to.
The proposed law will allow the MSF to apply for court orders, including placing the vulnerable adult in alternative care options. They can also apply for protection-related orders, which restrains the perpetrator from causing further harm, and excludes him or her from the vulnerable adult’s living environment.
Social service professionals can also seek support from the state to gain access to vulnerable adults whom they have had difficulty reaching out to.
In cases when the vulnerable adult has refused assistance, MSF can also apply to the court for an order to assess, intervene and protect them in exceptional situations, such as when the vulnerable adult is in “imminent danger or losing his or her life”, or when the individual has refused assistance due to pressure from family members or the perpetrator.
MSF can also be empowered to investigate offences under the bill in order to assess the level of intervention for each case through a mix of “deterrence and social work”.
For instance, while MSF has enforcement powers against perpetrators, it can also apply for a court order to ensure that perpetrators who are caregivers undergo counselling and other programmes. The ministry said that such a move would help to “repair relationships and enable family members to care for one another”, particularly as abuse in the family can occur due to the stress on caregivers.
In a move to encourage family members, bystanders, and those in the community to play their part to protect vulnerable adults, protection will be given to whistle-blowers who come forward with information about alleged abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult.
Enhanced penalties will also be meted out for offences committed against vulnerable adults under the Penal Code (e.g. voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt, and wrongful restraint) and Protection from Harassment Act.
While this will strengthen Singapore’s protection framework for vulnerable adults, the MSF said that it is a “law of last resort, only to be activated when social intervention fails”.
MSF stressed that families and the wider community can help to provide care and support for the elderly and disabled, keep an eye out and report suspected abuse cases to the authorities.
“However, where family and community interventions have been exhausted, the State will intervene as a last resort to protect these vulnerable individuals,” added the MSF.
