Haji Hussaini Abdullah, president of Pertapis with administrator Madam Haloyah Atan on March 22, 2013. Pertapis Children’s Home is facing allegations of children in the home being inappropriately punished physically. — BH FILE PHOTO: MOHD KHALID BABA
Pertapis Children’s Home is facing allegations of children in the home being inappropriately punished physically.
In a media release on Friday, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) said it had received some information about some children in the home receiving inappropriate physical punishment from some of the home’s staff members. It filed a police report, and the police are now investigating the matter.
The home was established in 1991 to provide children aged between four and 12 a safe environment under the Children and Young Persons Act. Children may be referred to the home by the Juvenile Court, Family Service Centres, the MSF or other social service agencies. There are now 61 children and six staff members in the home.
In its release, the MSF said the safety and well-being of children is its paramount concern and priority, and its officers are providing the affected children and their families emotional and psychological support.
Source: the Straits Times
