MSF: Singapore launches new child protection unit to flag abuse concerns on children earlier after Megan Khung’s death
Megan Khung’s case could have been identified for review about five months before her death if this new social services unit had been in place, MSF said
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in Singapore has launched a new child protection unit called SAFER (Sensemaking Alerts for Frontline Engagement and Response) to identify potential abuse concerns earlier and provide families with more immediate support. The unit was established on September 22, 2023, and is designed to share information across various agencies, including the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Singapore Police Force (SPF), and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB).
This sharing of data allows child protection professionals to have a more comprehensive view of families when assessing potential risks.
Since its launch in late June, the SAFER algorithm has identified approximately 600 cases for review within its first two months. Of these, around 70 cases were referred to case managers to strengthen or enhance support for the families involved. SAFER currently prioritizes families with children under the age of 7 who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
The system uses available information to identify potential risks and recent stressors in a family's life. Trained professionals then evaluate this information against case records and their own professional judgment. It is important to note that an alert from SAFER does not automatically indicate that abuse has occurred, nor does it determine the severity of a case. Instead, it signals that further investigation is necessary.
The SAFER unit was introduced following a review into the death of four-year-old Megan Khung, who passed away in February 2020. The review found significant lapses and failures in how several agencies handled concerns about Megan's safety. If SAFER had been in place at the time, it could have identified her case for review about five months prior to her death.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development believes that SAFER can help strengthen the ability to identify high-risk cases and provide earlier support while maintaining a focus on professional judgment.
Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming highlighted the benefits of SAFER in improving the identification of high-risk cases and early intervention. The remaining recommendations from the review, which require additional resources, are expected to be fully implemented by 2027. While technology plays a crucial role in connecting the dots, it is ultimately people who must take action when a child's safety is at risk.
Members of the public can report concerns about a child's safety by calling the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline at 1800-777-0000.
Written by urgent.news from The Independent Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
