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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 your/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 Family 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.   

Family Service Centres (FSCs) 

For families experiencing high levels of emotional and economic stress, which may affect the care of VAs in the households or increase the incidence of Family Violence, FSCs can work with them to provide early intervention and support such as financial assistance or counselling to help them cope with their stressors better and provide adequate care for the vulnerable. 

Protection Specialist Centres 

Within the community, the two Protection Specialist Centres (PSCs) (TRANS SAFE Centre and Care Corner Project StART), and PAVE Integrated Services serve as specialists on domestic violence and sexual violence matters. 

PAVE Integrated Services is a one-stop integrated community service which addresses issues on violence holistically through providing the continuum of services related to child protection, domestic violence and sexual violence concerns.   

These agencies provide specialised interventions to address the danger and likelihood of future harm, and meet the survivors’ needs (e.g. casework, counselling, application of personal protection orders).  

 

Mandatory Counselling Programme 

The Mandatory Counselling Programme is a court ordered counselling programme to help persons who have experienced or used domestic violence. This programme administered and funded by MSF aims to keep families safe through:    

  • Helping family members learn respectful and non-violent behaviours to resolve conflict; and    
  • Providing family members with the necessary support and skills to protect them
Clients are placed on this programme when the Family Justice Courts issue a Counselling Order as part of its determination on an application for a Personal Protection Order by a victim of violence. 

To help break the cycle of domestic violence and improve the life circumstances of victims and vulnerable members of the family, MSF implemented the Mandatory Counselling Programme through various community agencies. The Mandatory Counselling Programme aims to keep families safe through court-mandated counselling. When the Family Justice Courts issue a Counselling Order as part of a Personal Protection Order application, family members receive counselling support to learn respectful ways to resolve family conflicts and receive support to protect vulnerable family members. 

Find out more about the Mandatory Counselling Programme. 

The Protective Service (PSV)* investigates cases of abuse, neglect and self-neglect of vulnerable adults and families at risk of harm. PSV works closely with community partners to ensure these individuals receive appropriate care and support while keeping them safe from harm. 

When concerns are raised about a vulnerable adult's safety or well-being, protection officers assess the situation and coordinate interventions with relevant agencies. This may include working with healthcare providers, social service agencies, and family members to develop safety and care plans that protect the vulnerable adult while respecting their autonomy. 

When adult protection concerns are severe and caregivers/the family are unwilling or unable to ensure the safety of the vulnerable adult in their care, PSV will place the vulnerable adult in alternative care such as with extended family members or friends who can protect the vulnerable adult. If extended family members or friends are not suitable, PSV will then place the vulnerable adult in out-of-home care (e.g., adult disability home, nursing home). Regardless of family background, all vulnerable adults have the right to feel safe. Together, MSF and partners in the adult protection system work hand-in-hand towards the goal of keeping vulnerable adults safe.   

*Since May 2025, Child Protective Service, Adult Protective Service and Children in Care have been integrated to form Protective Service.