Adjournment motion on creating safe environments where every child can flourish

Organisations that routinely work with children should adopt a common minimum standard of safeguarding, said NMP Kenneth Poon as he moved an adjournment motion in parliament on Wednesday (Sep 9). It should be built around three layers of protection, he said. First, children should know who the trusted adults are whom they can approach when they feel unsafe. Second, adults who work with children should receive basic training to recognise possible signs of abuse, and respond and escalate concerns appropriately. Third, child-facing organisations should have appropriate policies, reporting and escalation procedures, and safeguards that reduce opportunities for harm. Prof Poon also addressed bullying and what he called “excessive performative pressure”. In reply, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education Syed Harun Alhabsyi said safeguarding children requires a whole-of-society effort. Children themselves are taught, from preschool level, about body safety and how to seek help when they feel hurt or unsafe. Educators, school counsellors and frontline health professionals are trained to spot and report possible abuse. Dr Syed Harun said the government will continue to review how to better support child-facing organisations to put in place appropriate safeguards.