Her son used to love art, but not any more. He is also hugely sensitive to touch these days. A mum recently teared up in court when she spoke about how her child had allegedly been molested by school teacher in Singapore.
Her voice shook as she said, “My heart ached. It pained me to know that my son had to go through such an unpleasant experience.”
“We should not remain silent. Schools should be a relatively safe environment for students to learn, and should not be a (source of such a) traumatic experience.”
Boy allegedly molested by school teacher in Singapore
According to Today, the boy was 13, and in Secondary 2 when the incident happened in the school's art room. He was alone with his art teacher then.
Apparently, the teacher jabbed the boy’s underarm, squeezed his chest, and put his hands into the boy’s shorts to touch his buttocks and groin.
After the boy reported the incident, the school launched an internal investigation, following the MOE's protocol, which includes taking statements from both sides.
The victim was asked to write down all the details of the incident while his PE teacher and co-form teacher waited outside. The child took around 1 hr 20 minutes to write his statement.
To understand what he really meant by touch, he was given a pair of school shorts and show where exactly the art teacher had put his hand. The victim demonstrated how the teacher's hands had gone in through the bottom of the shorts. He said that he could “feel (the teacher’s) fingers spreading out” in his pants.
Teacher gives statement
The teacher has admitted to the school principal and vice-principal that he had asked the boy if he had a girlfriend. He also asked him if he masturbated, and told him that he resembled a manga character in an adult comic.
He has admitted to touching the boy’s thigh. However, he denies touching him under the his shorts, and demonstrated how he merely tugged at the seam of the shorts near the pocket.
Meanwhile, the boy's parents are understandably angry and upset over the whole incident. His mum stresses, "We should not remain silent. Schools should be a relatively safe environment for students to learn, and should not be a (source of such a) traumatic experience.”
We hope the truth will emerge soon and justice will triumph. The case is on trial now, and the teacher has been stopped from his teaching duties by the court.
Parents, do note that these helplines in Singapore provide counselling for victims of abuse:
- Child Protection and Welfare Services (MSF): For reporting of child abuse – 1800-777 0000
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): Provides emotional support to those who are in despair or distressed – 1800-221-4444
- Youthline : Champions youth causes – 6336-3434
- Teen Challenge: Provides faith-based and community-based programmes and services – 1800-829-2222
- Touchline: Provides counselling to troubled teens and youth 1800-377-2252
- eCounselling Centre (eC2): An online facility offering free counselling to youth – 6787 1125
- MeToYou Cyber Care: A cyber wellness programme for youth aged 12-18 years old – 6274 6904 / 9173 1766
- Tinkle Friend: For primary school students, especially children who are alone at home, who need someone to chat with or discuss problems with – 1800-2744 788
Also READ: Young girls molested at learning centre in Singapore