COUNSELLING AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES FOR MEN IN NEED OF HELP

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COUNSELLING AND CRISIS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES FOR MEN IN NEED OF HELP: 5.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) what are the specific help, counselling and crisis assistance programmes other than "fathering programmes" for helping men to deal with stresses associated with problems related to being breadwinners and to elderly men; (b) whether there are any crisis shelters for men; (c) what are the specific helplines that men can call for help and counselling; and (d) if his Ministry will launch a campaign to promote this whole range of programmes as a holistic package to help men in need.

6.

Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (a) from 2002 to the present, (i) what is the number of abused men who have been physically and mentally abused by their female partners; and (ii) how many men have taken a personal protection order against their female partners; (b) whether there is a helpline for these men to call for help; and (c) whether there are counselling services available for these men.

The Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports (Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon) (for the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports): Mr Speaker, Sir, with your permission, I will answer Question Nos. 5 and 6 together.

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Mr Speaker: Please do so.

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon: My Ministry holds the view that counselling services, crisis assistance, services for victims of abuse and other family support services provided by Family Service Centres (FSCs) and Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) should not be gender-specific, unless there is a clear need to be so. Support services should, in the main, address the needs of families and individuals, the bulk of which is not dependent on gender. Indeed, the Family Service Centres have seen a significant number of men coming forward to seek counselling and other services. The social workers providing the services are trained to adapt their approach, depending on the gender of the person seeking support.

However, men may face certain gender-specific issues and stresses associated with their roles as sons, husbands, fathers and as the main breadwinner. In a previous query raised by the hon. NMP, MCYS had informed the House that we have been supporting and working with VWOs such as PPIS-Jurong FSC, the Centre for Fathering and the Association of Devoted and Active Family Men (ADAFM) to conduct regular workshops and support groups for men to help them address these issues which are specific to them.

Apart from these initiatives, I would like to inform the House that the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) has piloted a support group for men called Programme Nakhoda where males from at-risk families learn about sharing household responsibilities, communications and problem-solving skills. In addition, As-Salaam Family Support Centre provides counselling, referral services and step parenting programmes to fathers. Some schools have also started father support groups to help fathers to be nurturing to their children. For example, the Parent Support

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Group in Montfort Junior School, a school under my Ministry's School Family Education Programme, has recently started the Fathers' Wing to actively involve fathers in enhancing the overall development of their sons.

The hon. NMP has asked for the number of men who have been abused by their female partners. Since 2002, an average of 260 husbands applied for personal protection orders against their wives every year. There are two specialised agencies that victims of abuse can call for help. They can call PAVe (Promoting Alternatives to Violence) and Trans Centre. PAVe and Trans Centre specialise in helping victims of family violence and perpetrators to stop their abusive behaviour. They also support families to break the vicious cycle of violence. Their services include counselling, group work and practical assistance like helping victims apply for personal protection orders, as well as helping perpetrators deal with their abusive behaviour.

There are crisis shelters which cater to men. But, so far, only a few have sought help. We encourage people in crisis, whether male or female, to contact any of the 36 Family Service Centres to seek professional advice and assistance. If they are in immediate danger, they should contact the SOS of Singapore or the Police.

There is no need for a campaign to promote programmes targeted specifically for men. We have put in place community-based support services, like the Family Service Centre, and would encourage men and women to approach an FSC as a first stop if they need help for themselves and their families, and to approach Trans Centre and PAVe if they are victims or perpetrators of abuse.