Speech by Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Second Minister for Education, at the Launch of PAVE’s Protective Behaviours Resource Kit at the Singapore University of Social Sciences

Good morning,

Mdm Halimah Yacob, Chancellor of SUSS,

Dr. Serene Ng, Chairman of PAVE Integrated Services Limited,

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, and friends,

1.I am heartened to be here today to launch PAVE's Protective Behaviours Resource Kit for children. I am very happy to see many friends here for a good cause, particularly to discuss issues related to the violation of children, which are deeply distressing to all of us. For every story that we hear, as Mdm Halimah said earlier, it is always very distressing and difficult. As a former social worker, Member of Parliament, and through my work with Project 4650, the Interim Housing Project in Bedok several years back together with PAVE, these issues have long been, and continue to be, of profound concern to me. Thus, I wholeheartedly supported this initiative when I first learnt about it from PAVE.

2.According to a study, as mentioned by Mdm Halimah earlier, on child sexual abuse conducted by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) published this year, the average age that young victims first experienced sexual abuse is between eight to 10 years old. These children endure an average of three to four years of unimaginable physical and psychological pain and terror, and oftentimes oppression, before telling on their perpetrators. Just imagine someone at eight years old suffering avoidance, and you can just imagine what the child was going through. Some never do, even express or tell of the perpetrators, experiencing horrors that last well into their adulthood. Many at that age do not know what was done to them was wrong! And they suffered in silence leading to challenging mental health issues in adulthood. PAVE has shared with me how adult survivors of child sexual abuse are now coming forward after years of enduring the shame, trauma, and pain - finally seeking the help that they need. These stories are often very heart wrenching to say the least.

3.There are many barriers to disclosure for our children. They may not know that the abusive behaviour is wrong, or because the perpetrator may have convinced the victim that the abusive action is a normal act of love. Or victims fear that their revelation may disrupt their family, and made to carry a huge psychological burden or that the perpetrator may harm them further, especially if the perpetrator is also a member of the family. This is often the case in many of the circumstances and situations we have heard. And most troubling of all, even if some of the victims want to tell, they may not know how to initiate the conversation or fear that they will not be believed.

4.These complex factors make disclosure extremely difficult for these children. That is why I am deeply assured by your combined efforts to equip our children with the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves; and to put this at the forefront of our fight against child sexual abuse.

5.Approaching this sensitive issue with an upstream focus must be applauded. It sends a powerful message to our children: that they have the right to feel safe, the right to say "NO" to those who seek to harm them, and the right to tell someone if they feel violated, knowing that they will be taken seriously.

6.Moreover, your efforts will convey a critical message to parents, educators, caregivers, family members, and even, to potential perpetrators: that a child's safety is non-negotiable. And as adults, we must protect these children. Thus, we must work together to create a community of care for our children, regardless of socio-economic background, religion, or ethnicity, because, as we know, sexual abuse can happen to anyone.

7.I am heartened to see the collaboration across the entire ecosystem of care for our children - from preschool centres to schools, and self-help groups. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) have been actively highlighting the importance of body safety awareness within their respective sectors. Within MOE schools, school personnel - such as our School Leaders, teachers, School Counsellors and Student Welfare Officers - work together for our children's safety. With PAVE's Protective Behaviours Resource Kit, our school personnel will now have additional resources to support our students. They will be able to use the resources to look out for signs of child abuse in students and provide the needed support, where necessary. Our schools will continue to be a safe space for our children to learn more about how to care for themselves and their peers, and how to reach out for help, if they need. I would like to thank MOE and ECDA for working tirelessly with our PAVE colleagues to ensure alignment to the national curriculum, so that the availability of these new materials will enhance our collective efforts.

8.I thank PAVE, MSF, MOE, ECDA and the Singapore Children's Society for taking great care and sensitivity in addressing this issue of child sexual abuse. We know it is sensitive, but we know it has to be discussed and brought to the forefront. It is not an easy issue particularly in an Asian society like Singapore. The Protective Behaviours Resource Kit that we are launching today includes resources that are meant to be used in an engaging and interactive format, and they are freely accessible to all - thanks to funding from the President's Challenge under the leadership of our former President, Mdm Halimah Yacob, as well as SUSS, Lam Soon, and PAVE.

9.I am also glad to note that the resources include a Protective Behaviours manual, which has been digitised and made available online through a Learning Management System managed by PAVE. Any concerned adult - from educators and parents to volunteers - can access this manual for a minimal fee and learn how to use the resources effectively. This initiative has been made possible through funding secured by SUSS from the Temasek Foundation.

10.I would also like to commend SUSS for involving their students in this important project. I understand that SUSS is assisting PAVE with the development of Google Analytics to gather data to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme, which will enable this initiative to be further strengthened.

11.This is a great example of the people, private and public sectors coming together for the greater good of our society and to protect our precious children.

12.Let me conclude by congratulating PAVE again, for leading the way in upstream efforts to support children and their families. It is always heartening to be associated with PAVE as their advisor. Your work is invaluable, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact of this resource kit in our community, equipping our adults with the skills and knowhow to protect and care for our children.

13.Thank you all for your attention and commitment to this crucial cause. Together, we can create a safer, more nurturing environment for our children to grow up well as adults.

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