Seriously.....how do you think this should be handled?

Here is the situation.....almost every morning if I am not having my breakfast at newton, I will be having it along a kopi shop near my workplace.

Very frequently the folks at the shop and myself will hear this child crying screaming.....for a long period....as a gauge, my sipping of kopi is around 10 -15 mins with noodle or bread.

We all had heard about child abuse etc etc ...and tats why I am checking if there is any suggestions.

Question: how does one bystander like me should handle this? Is there a hotline to call ? Do I pry into the house and kaypoh?

Firstly, I think it's great that you are concerned. You are right to be. My take is that it may not be something serious. Josh cries for a bit when he wakes up and is grouchy cause he doesn't get his food fast enough... like father like son.

But all that said, it's not a daily thing (i.e. Josh doesn't cry every day... come to think of it, he has been quite a good boy of late).

So, if you are uncomfortable with the constant screaming, it's worthwhile raising this with the authorities. It may not be a case of abuse but sometimes, the parents may not be able to cope with the child and could use some help.

You can check out child protection/care services here.

Quote :

Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse

Reporting of suspected child abuse is the first positive step in helping to prevent or stop the abuse. Appropriate investigation and intervention will be conducted to prevent further harm to the child.

At the same time, professional assistance will also be provided to the abused child and the family. For further information or for reporting of child abuse, please contact:

Child Protection and Welfare Helpline: 1800-777 0000 (wef from 1 August 2009)
(Monday to Friday, 8.30am-5pm and Saturday, 8.30am-1pm)

Child Protection and Welfare Services
10th Storey MCYS Building
512 Thomson Road
Singapore 298136or
the Police Divisional HQ or the nearest Neighbourhood Police Post

Remember, it's the child's interests you have at heart and not that you are trying to be a busybody.

there are many possibilities. there are just too many to rule out. I suggest that u call the police/child services and let them know that this is going on everyday.

maybe they'll send a social worker down and it'll be better?

Bro, you should also record it in your handphone as an evidence. This can be used by the relevant authorities to investigate.

Record the video and put it on Stomp lor.

I hate kids who scream for everything or nothing. I think a lot has to do with how they were brought up since birth. A lot of parents just spoil the kids too much nowadays and they even allow such misbehaviour in public. As to your daily affair, why do you think it is child abuse afterall? Did you witness the parent "torture" the kid?

wah nutty, that is typically what teenagers do when they are bored. stomp people. u also join in "stomp"ing ah!

Quote :

nutty88 wrote:

Record the video and put it on Stomp lor.

I hate kids who scream for everything or nothing. I think a lot has to do with how they were brought up since birth. A lot of parents just spoil the kids too much nowadays and they even allow such misbehaviour in public. As to your daily affair, why do you think it is child abuse afterall? Did you witness the parent "torture" the kid?

Thanks Nutty for your suggestion. however I am not a big fan of posting on stomp and then let folks do 'window shopping'.

As for whether did I see....well, I did not. But I do want to equip myself with the information if it does come a time. I just don want to wait and see till something bad happen just because we did not see it yet. Of coz, I do hope you have faith in my limited intelligence that I don go around 'shouting wolf'.

Actually I was merely joking when I suggested STOMP. It is a boh liao platform in my personal opinion and I am really too old for such stuff.

Bro Duval,

Honestly, even if you have seen it with your own eyes, it may not reflect the entire truth. Some kids can be hyper active and it may be a case whereby the parents are totally helpless, thus deploying the more aggressive method to tame the child. Getting the authorities involved may or may not help resolved the issue afterall but I do agree that it is good to be equipped with the necessary knowledge as it may come in handy.

Cheers.