He wanted to know if the kids had any information about their mother, his estranged wife. When they denied it, he got furious, and accused them of lying. He decided to get the truth out of them in this nasty way.
Singapore dad beats up kids with cloth belt
According to The Straits Times, this Singapore dad then took a cloth belt, folded it in half, held the belt by the metal buckle and hit his son with it, on the shoulder. He continued hitting the 10-year-old boy, who was in pain and tried his best to move about and dodge the blows. The boy was struck about 10 times all over his body.
Next was the 9-year-old daughter’s turn, and she got hit with the cloth belt at least 5 times, for the same reason.
Not getting the answers he wanted, the father then took a lighter and lit it. He approached his son and threatened him by holding it near his left arm. He repeated the question about the children’s mother. Apparently, the boy could feel the heat from the flame. The man now placed the lighter flame near his daughter’s hand. When she cried and insisted she was not lying, he finally kept the lighter aside and walked away.
Both children ended up with multiple bruises on their bodies, and the little boy had red markings on his arms and chest area.
On Friday (June 30), the father was sentenced to 4 months jail for two counts of ill-treating his 10-year-old son and nine-year-old daughter. It seems he was also involved in other crimes like stealing cigarettes and taking drugs.
Helplines to report suspected child abuse
Children need a safe environment to grow and learn. Child abuse hinders the physical and emotional well being of a child. Reporting child abuse is the first step in stopping it. Here are some useful helplines to report child abuse:
Police – 999
Child Protective Service Helpline: 1800-777 0000
Child Protection Specialist Centres
HEART@Fei Yue
Phone: 6819 9170
Email: heartadmin@fycs.org
Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5.30pm
Big Love Child Protection Specialist Centre
Phone: 6445 0400
Email: contact@biglove.org.sg
Monday – Friday 9.00am – 6.00pm
SAFE SPACE
Phone: 6266 0171
Email: admincpsc@pave.org.sg
Monday – Friday 9.00am – 1.00pm; 2.00pm – 6.00pm
AWARE Helpline – 1800 774 5935 (Mon–Fri, 3 pm– 9.30 pm)
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
(Source: The Straits Times, The New Paper)