A series of disturbing online posts have been outraging social media users on Snapchat. It all began with a horrific baby torture video of a helpless child crying for help as his own parents shove his head into a plastic bag and waterboard him.
Shortly after posting the horrific clip to the user-generated app, the baby’s young dad shared another video, attempting to explain his actions.
“We’re not child abusing them, we’re just teaching them discipline,” the dad can be heard saying. “If I want to slap my child I’ll slap him as much as I want, if he needs some discipline I’ll continue to slap him.”
In another post, the caption read: “I can’t believe he’s [still] alive.”
Both parents obscured their faces using emoji.
Screenshots: Snaphcat
Child in baby torture video is now ‘safe and well’
According to news.com.au, police in Victoria, Australia have questioned the parents: a teen boy, aged 13 and the teen girl, aged 14.
Leading Senior Constable Lee Thompson of Victoria Police told news.com.au that “Concerns were raised for the safety of a toddler as the result of a video and photos posted.”
“The toddler has been located safe and well,” he assured the public.
As of this writing, no charges have been lodged against the abusive parents.
Screenshots: Snapchat
Baby torture video shed light on teen parenting and child abuse
A previous study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology examined whether teen mums who abuse their kids were also abused as children. They found that those maltreated as children would also continue this cycle of abuse.
What’s more, they linked being abused as a child to:
- future mental health problems
- alcoholism
- drug abuse
- criminal behaviour
- poor health
- poor academic performance
- low economic attainment
- early pregnancy
It has to be said though that being a teen parent doesn’t always mean you can’t be a good parent. What young parents need is proper education and support so they can give their kids the best possible care. At the end of the day, it is their choice how they treat their precious little ones.
Where to report child abuse in Singapore
Just earlier this month, an aunt beat up her own nephew and dangled him out the window in Singapore.
“Acts of abuse against vulnerable children, especially when carried out by someone responsible for safeguarding their well-being, will always be regarded as particularly reprehensible and deserving of the full force of the law,” District Judge Lim Keng Yeow told the Straits Times.
In this day and age, we can be responsible neighbours even through monitoring our social circles on digital media. Here’s where you can report suspected cases of child abuse in Singapore.
- For cases of child abuse, call Child Protection and Welfare Services (MSF) at 1800-777 0000.
- For those who are seeking emotional support because of distressing situations, call Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) at 1800-221-4444.
- Those looking for an organisation that champions youth causes can call Youthline at 6336-3434.
- For faith and community based services, call Teen Challenge at 1800-829-2222.
- If you’re seeking counselling to troubled teens and youth, call Touchline at 1800-377-2252.
- For free, online youth counselling, call eCounselling Centre (eC2) at 6787 1125.
- For a cyber wellness programme for teens, call MeToYou Cyber Care at 6274 6904 / 9173 1766.
- For primary school students in need of someone to talk to about problems and issues, call Tinkle Friend at 1800-2744 788.
Source: news.com.au, Ministry of Social and Family Development, ChildWelfare.gov
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