Dr Maliki Osman, Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Education & Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Advisor to PAVE
Dr Serene Ng, President of PAVE
SUSS colleagues, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen
It is a privilege to witness the official launch of PAVE’s Child Protective Behaviour Resource Kit today. This initiative is deeply meaningful to me.
2. Last August, as President of Singapore, I backed PAVE through the President’s Challenge to fund the commissioning of the Garden of Safety video we saw earlier. This video has been a wonderful resource, teaching young children protective behaviours against sexual abuse. Today’s launch builds on that initial effort as PAVE continues to expand its resources and impact.
One case too many
3. We’ve all heard this phrase: ‘One case is one too many’. When it comes to child sexual abuse, that’s painfully true. Even one instance is already too much.
4. Every time I read about children betrayed by those they trust most, it disturbs me. It angers me. I know many of you feel the same.
5. But anger isn’t enough. No child should ever face abuse or violence. While PAVE is fighting to prevent domestic violence, each of us has a role too. We can watch over our families, friends, and neighbours, offering help when it’s needed. Together, we can protect our children.
6. A recent study by a team of MSF psychologists found that younger victims of sexual abuse often take much longer to report what happened compared to older children.
7. On average, it takes about 32 months—or nearly three years—before authorities are told. This shows how important it is to educate our children about what is safe and unsafe, and how to speak up if something is wrong.
8. That’s why it’s so crucial to support efforts like this. By teaching children about body safety and reporting cases of sexual abuse, we can help them protect themselves.
9.This is where PAVE’s work becomes vital. As the only integrated service for family violence and child protection in Singapore, PAVE’s holistic approach—preventing violence, intervening during incidents of abuse, and providing support afterwards—sets them apart. For over two decades, their impact has been significant, and I commend them for their tireless efforts.
Partnership to develop game app
10. Following the Garden of Safety video launch last year, Dr Sudha Nair, the Executive Director of PAVE, and her team met with our SUSS colleagues and Professor Tan Tai Yong, our SUSS President. This led to the decision that SUSS would support PAVE in developing a digital game, which we’re rolling out today as part of the Resource Kit.
11. This game is designed for children to play with their parents, grandparents, or teachers. It will teach them essential steps to take when faced with potential threats of sexual abuse:
- And three – Tell someone you trust
12. Children will learn about body safety and protective behaviours through interactive mini-games cleverly woven around an engaging storyline. The game includes visual prompts to encourage meaningful conversations between the child and the adult playing alongside them.
New online course
13. Just two months ago, PAVE also asked SUSS to convert their lesson plans on Teaching Protective Behaviours to Young Children into a fully online e-learning course.
14. I’m glad to announce that this course is now available for all preschool educators, parents, and practitioners.
15. I encourage you to sign up for the course on the SUSS UniLEARN portal to learn how to use resources like the Garden of Safety game app to engage with young children, facilitate important conversations, and help them build a network of trusted adults. Early birds will enjoy a discount on the course fee, courtesy of a generous grant from the Temasek Foundation.
Collaborators with a shared mission
16. It is my hope that we all come together to drive meaningful change in our society. We know that many social service agencies have overlapping roles. At SUSS, we play a part by connecting these agencies to enhance collaboration, reduce redundancies, and minimise wastage. By leveraging each other’s strengths and key competencies, we can make a more significant impact.
17. Hence, I’m pleased to see key stakeholders from social service, education, and government—PAVE, SUSS, MSF, MOE, ECDA, and local preschool education providers— uniting for this important mission.
18. Together, we have a duty to protect our little ones and provide them with a safe environment to thrive.
19. Just as Singapore is known as the Garden City, let us work together to cultivate a Garden of Safety for our nation.
20. Thank you.