Adult Protection System

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000 or make an online report via the NAVH reporting Form. If there is imminent danger to you or the victim’s life and safety, call the Police at 999 or SMS 70999 for immediate assistance. 

 

Everyone deserves a right to feel safe. MSF’s Protective Service (PSV) works with trained professionals in the community to protect individuals and families, including Vulnerable Adults (VAs) who experience abuse, neglect and self-neglect in Singapore.  

 

Legislations Guiding the Protection of Adults 

The Vulnerable Adults Act provides the legal framework to protect VAs from abuse, neglect and self-neglect. A VA is defined as an individual who is:  
 

a) At least 18 years old; and  

b) By reason of mental or physical infirmity, disability or incapacity, is incapable of protecting himself/herself from abuse, neglect or self-neglect.  

The Women’s Charter provides measures to safeguard victim-survivors of family violence and ensures perpetrators of family violence are held accountable and undergo rehabilitation.  

 

Adult Protection Concerns Exist on a Spectrum

VA abuse and FV can be understood in terms of a range of protection concerns, ranging from low, moderate to high safety and risk concerns.  

Tier 1 cases are those overseen by community agencies such as Family Service Centres and the Protection Specialist Centres. Generally, these are cases that present with low to moderate safety and risk concerns for the vulnerable person. These would also refer to Domestic Violence cases such as spousal abuse, which are currently overseen only by community agencies.  

Tier 2 cases are those that require statutory intervention, overseen by MSF. Generally, these are cases with high safety and risk concerns for the vulnerable adults, which may warrant more intrusive intervention (e.g. removal of a VA) to keep the individual safe.  

 MSF’s Protective Service also provides support through the Domestic Violence Emergency Response Team (DVERT) and receives cases referred by the police where there are immediate safety concerns. The DVERT team works closely with the police and community partners to offer timely and coordinated assistance to the families affected.