Proven and Withdrawn Child Abuse Allegations in Divorce and Child Custody Cases

Mr Chong Kee Hiong asked the Minister for Social and Family Development in each year of the last three years, how many cases where one spouse makes an allegation of child abuse against the other spouse in attempting to prevent the other spouse from having access to their children in divorce and child custody cases have been (i) proven true or (ii) subsequently withdrawn, respectively.

Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M: Over the last three years, an annual average of 13 cases involving allegations of child abuse made by one spouse against the other, purportedly to limit access to their children in divorce and custody disputes, were investigated. Of these cases, roughly seven were confirmed as true, while about six were subsequently found to be unsubstantiated.