Domestic violence in Singapore: a ten year comparison of victim profile

CL Foo, E Seow
Correspondence: Dr Chik-Loon Foo, chik_loon_foo@ttsh.com.sg

ABSTRACT
Introduction To investigate whether the profile of female victims of domestic violence in Singapore has changed over the past ten years.
Methods 163 female victims of domestic violence presenting to an emergency department in Singapore were surveyed. The survey included information on the victims' demographics, assault characteristics and knowledge of help services. The results were compared against a similar survey done locally ten years ago, which involved 233 victims.
Results There were no significant differences in the racial composition, marital status, weapon use and admission rates of victims ten years on. However, a significantly higher proportion of female victims in 2002 knew where to seek help, compared to a decade ago (50.9 percent versus 20.6 percent, p-value is less than 0.0001).
Conclusion The proportion of victims with an awareness of community and legal help services has more than doubled over the past ten years.

Keywords: assault, battered women, domestic violence
Singapore Med J 2005; 46(2): 69-73