THERE are a whole range of options for desperate parents.

But they must first accept that it is the parents' responsibility to look after their children.
Said a spokesman from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, in an e-mail response: "Parents are duty bound, both morally and legally, to provide proper care for their children. The extended family also has a duty of care.

"If families need additional support, there are a wide range of assistance schemes and family service centres (FSCs) available."

The spokesman added that families can tap into childcare, kindergarten and student care services for their children while they are at work.

There are also generous Government financial assistance schemes to help low-income, working parents.

But Liza's family's income doesn't qualify her as a low-income earner, so what do they do?
Said Mrs Florence Lim, director of Covenant Family Service Centre: "It sounds like the mother is trying to fix her situation but because she is facing a lot of marital issues, she has been unable to fully focus on her children and their education.

"Their monthly income is quite high but sometimes we see a lot of cases where families have a lot of issues budgeting their money properly.

"They might have the money but not realise it, as again, they are dealing with a lot of issues." She added that FSCs have programmes to teach families how to budget and manage their money better.

She added that half the cases FSCs attend to have financial issues, and the rest might have more complicated problems which requires intense counselling.

Mr Charles Lee, a senior counsellor at Tanjong Pagar FSC, said that there is also an element of pride that might have made the family reluctant to get help.

He said: "Neighbours have tried to approach the family, but the husband didn't want the help.

"Sometimes it is easy to jump to conclusions and say why aren't the organisations coming forward to help this family. It is easy for lay people to say 'poor things'. But the fact is, they might have rejected help."

Where to call for help
Victims of family violence should report the matter to the police and also call the following agencies:
Promoting Alternatives to Violence: 6555 0390
Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221 4444
TRANS Centre (Bukit Timah): 6466 2287
TRANS Centre (Bedok): 6449 0762
Association of Muslim Professionals: 6416 3960
Aware (Mon-Fri 3-930pm) 1800-774-5935
[email protected]

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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