With conceptual frameworks covered in this module and your own research for the Singaporean

context, analyse
(1) factors that may contribute to family violence; and
(2) community resources for managing it

Abstract

A family can be called a Nuclear Family, Extended Family, Blended Family and Nontraditional

Family. The Singapore government defines a family by the legal terms of taxes, insurance and

some legal matters. This are some legal terms that are used to describe a family. However, in the

privacy of one’s own home with family members, it is possible to define family differently.

In addition to families with two parents, nuclear families could also include households with one

parent and children, especially following a death, divorce, or single parenthood. Compared to a

nuclear family, blended families are often characterized by certain characteristics. Family

structure is important for the children of the marriage, but the relationships between family

members can become more complicated. An extended family can benefit from living together if

they have health and financial issues and are in their retirement years. In addition to receiving

love and attention from additional adults, children benefit from having extended family. They

may also receive child care assistance from their extended family members. In non-traditional

families, unmarried parents are becoming more common, while children living with two married

parents are decreasing. (Hatter, 2017)

This document aims to present how a family nucleus functions and manages under the pressure

of family violence. Elements that contribute to the issues of abuse will be discussed and some

fundamentals on how resources are used will be approached.

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Introduction

An ideal functional family nucleus includes raising children in a responsible manner by

providing economic, practical and emotional security. The lack of this fundamental element may

result in an abusive relationships. Violence within the family may include physical, emotional, or

sexual behaviors that are used to gain control over the victim. Abuse is characterized by verbal

abuse, threats, harassment, intimidation, and controlling behaviors such as limiting access to

friends, relatives, and finances. Violence in the family can occur at any level of closeness --

within a marriage, partnership, parent-child relationship, and brother/sister relationship.

(Government of Singapore, 2022)

What is domestic and family violence?

Throughout history, violence has manifested in many forms, including assault, rape and murder.

The causes of violence include frustration, exposure to violent media, violent behaviour at home

and in the neighbourhood, and having a tendency to see others' behaviour as hostile even when it

is not. (Government of Singapore, 2021)

Domestic violence is a choice made by the abuser, but certain factors might contribute to the

individual's penchant to abuse, including: enduring childhood trauma. Upholding certain societal

beliefs regarding hierarchy and dominance, etc. Including being a victim of domestic violence as

a child. (MSF.gov.sg)

Factors that contribute to violence

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There are multiple factors that contribute to family violence; biological, socialization, cognitive

and situational factors.

Biological factors refer to the spectrum of neurological, physiological or chemical influences on

aggression and violence. When a deficiency occurs, and there is no remedy in the form of

medication or neutralization from a support group, abusive behaviour may result in conflicts and

disagreements. (Government of Singapore, 2022)

Socialization factors indicate a person’s pattern of thinking, behaviour and feeling from their

early life experiences. Since children learn from role models, violent influences may lead them to

emulate certain expressions and behaviour in their adult lives, thus if an adult displays aggressive

tendencies, it is vital that they address past experiences and issues to overcome the bad

behaviour.

Cognitive factors include the ideas, beliefs and patterns of thinking that surface as a result of

interactions with the world during a person’s lifetime and have more acceptance of violence in

general and thus adopt this aggression as the norm. Aggressive children and teenagers have more

antisocial, violent beliefs than their nonaggressive peers (Shaninfar, Kupersmidt, & Matza,

2001).

Situational factors stem from the characteristics of the environment. Stress and aggression is

provoked when there is an adverse situation, such as loud noises, unpleasant smells and non-

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conducive living conditions. The presence of weapons may also increase the chances of conflict,

resulting in lethal consequences.

Therefore, it is evident that violent behaviour is a result from genetic disorders, social and

environmental factors and a person’s moral compass in their early lives. Once this aggression

source is identified, the appropriate management of treatment can be enforced with the help of

the community.

Types of violence within a family

Family violence, which has occurred through history but has only been labelled a social problem

in the last fifty years, is the use of physical acts to gain or demonstrate power and intimidate a

child or intimate partner. These acts of aggression are often a result of stress, substance abuse,

depression, and other mental illness. The abusers’ aim is to coerce dominance in the relationship,

humiliate their victims and invade their privacy through threats and intimidation and resulting in

the victims being isolated from society and living in constant fear.

Examples of family violence would include parents or guardians who neglect or abuse their

children or ward, by not providing the basic needs such as shelter and food, emotional

dilapidation for instance. Spousal abuse on the other hand includes sexual or economic

exploitation and stalking. Other forms of actions that perpetrators indulge in tactics like bullying,

threatening and belittling; criticizing their victim’s appearance or pushing blame and accusations

until their victims comply. Nonetheless, the purpose for them is to maintain control over their

victims.

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Another sign of domestic abuse is when the victim is not permitted to socialise with family and

friends and are usually at the mercy of their abusers. In extreme cases, the victims may be

humiliated in front of others repeatedly for the pleasure of the abuser.

One of the more subtle signs of domestic abuse is how money in the household is controlled and

manipulated. The victim may be prevented from working, simply to reinforce dictatorship over

finances. They may not even be allowed to pursue their education or find a career as the goal

here is to prevent self-empowerment and independence.

Physical violence remains the most obvious and it is a guaranteed indicator of an abusive

relationship. While this abuse is seemingly involves laying hands or using weapons (or threats),

physical abuse also includes the victim not being able to eat or be allowed to bathe or sleep. In

extreme cases, when a victim is physically hurt with cuts and bruises, they would not be

permitted to seek medical care and attention. However, aside from physical bodily harm, another

severe form of abuse is when a perpetrator leaves their victims stranded in an unknown area,

including being forced to consume drugs and alcohol.

Sexual abuse is when one is an unwilling partner who is forced to perform sexual favours or

made to do things that may be uncomfortable of even deliberately trying to pass an Sexually

Transmitted Disease (STD) onto either as a revenge or an attempt to control.

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All in all, domestic violence can be disguised in various forms but the ultimate goal of the

perpetrator is to instil fear and helplessness upon their victims. (MSF.gov.sg)

Community resources available

In Singapore, the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) is the principal agency

for safeguarding families from abuse and neglect. MSF collaborates with partners in Singapore's

child protection system, including the pre-schools, schools, hospitals, social service

organizations, prisons, courts, and the Attorney- General's Chambers, to defend the interests and

welfare of children. The seriousness of child protection issues raised determines the extent and

intrusiveness of interventions delivered to families. A network of dedicated experts collaborates

to keep youngsters safe. For victims who are either physically or sexually abused, it is

recommended that they seek alliance with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), whom the

MSF works closely with. A police report should be made, regardless of whether charges are

being pressed against the perpetrator, as it will serve as documentary proof for future point of

reference as well as a referral for medical attention in a hospital or clinic. In addition, if the

victim requires more protection from the abuser, MSF is able to render aid to secure a temporary

shelter through a crisis programme.

In the case of a person who suffers from mental instability due to abuse, they may approach

Care Corner, which is located at 6 Woodlands Square #03-01 Woods Square Tower 2

Singapore 737737. Care Corner provides victims with resources to overcome all mental

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challenges and help them make informed decisions through counselling. Professional counsellors

will provide a holistic approach to help victims cope with their mental issues.

The Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) serves to provide information

and support to women who are in abusive relationships or experiencing distress or uncertainty

and maybe victims of physical assault. The Women's Care Centre can be reached at 1800 777

555 (Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) where experienced counselors and trained volunteers

help women resolve a life crisis, deal with a painful past, adapt to changed circumstances, or

make new decisions. The aim of AWARE is to enable desperate women to identify their issues

and empower them to detangle themselves from the abusive relationship.

References

Kathryn Hatter, 2017, What Constitutes a Family?

SAGE Publications, 2015, Psychology of violence and intimidation, pg 272-273

(Shaninfar, Kupersmidt, & Matza, 2001, The relation between exposure to violence and
information processing among incarcerated adolescents)

Government of Singapore, ND, MSF.gov.sg

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