Community Guardian Project

DATE:

5 May – 6 June 2020 (Phase 1 recruitment & training); 16 June – 3 July 2020 (Phase 2 recruitment & training)

VENUE:

Zoom Platform

ABOUT THE EVENT:

During the COVID-19 global pandemic and the circuit breaker that was implemented in Singapore, there was a reported increase in the number of family violence cases both nationally and globally. This led social workers at PAVE to be concerned for people who may be experiencing family violence behind closed doors but not have access to phones or resources to seek help in a timely manner. Hence, PAVE collaborated with Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Kydon Learning Systems Institute Pte. Ltd. to develop an app that would help increase the accessibility of services for those experiencing family violence. The aim of the project was to create a community of caring neighbours to be the eyes and ears of individuals experiencing family violence in the community. Trained Community Guardians (CGs) would be able to report on and attend to situations involving:

1. Vulnerable adults
2. Child abuse
3. Spousal violence
4. Other forms of family violence

The project involved two phases of recruitment and training of volunteers from the community, mainly comprising grassroots leaders and Public Service Commission (PSC) scholars from seven main constituencies in Singapore (Jurong GRC, Nee Soon GRC, Tanjong Pagar, Yio Chu Kang, Teck Ghee, Siglap and Punggol). There were a total of 57 Community Guardian Responders who were trained by PAVE social workers, and 7 incidents that were attended to by the responders since 15 June 2020.

The Community Guardian project has been officially handed over to the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to manage nationally with effect 28 October 2020.