This forum letter was originally published in The Straits Times on 6 March 2025.

The tragic case of four-year-old Megan Khung – fatally abused by her mother and her partner – exposes deep gaps in the systems meant to protect vulnerable children (Couple abused 4-year-old girl for more than a year, burned her body after she died, Feb 28).

While the perpetrators bear full responsibility for their heinous acts, this case raises urgent questions about the societal and systemic failures that allowed such prolonged abuse to go undetected and unprevented.

As a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Singapore has committed to upholding children’s fundamental rights, including their right to safety, education, and protection from abuse. This case underscores the need for stronger measures to fulfil these commitments.

One glaring concern is the apparent lack of intervention despite indications of abuse.

The article raises the question if neighbours, relatives or pre-school teachers noticed signs of distress but felt unequipped or hesitant to report it. Red flags and early warning signs being overlooked highlight the need for stronger community education on identifying and reporting abuse, as well as assurances that reports will be taken seriously.

This case also reflects broader societal issues – bystander apathy and the stigma surrounding family violence. Many fear interfering in “private matters”, yet silence enables abuse to persist.

Creating a culture of shared responsibility for child welfare is essential, so that everyone feels both supported and encouraged to take action when they have concerns about a child’s safety.

Currently, under Singapore’s Compulsory Education Act, all children must attend primary school, ensuring education for all with some level of state oversight of their well-being.

The expansion of affordable pre-school education in Singapore presents a valuable opportunity to strengthen child protection efforts. One critical step forward is making it mandatory for all pre-schools to introduce body safety, boundaries and abuse prevention education for children aged four to six. Teaching young children these concepts in an age-appropriate way empowers them to seek help when needed and fosters a culture where abuse is recognised and reported earlier.

As pre-school placements continue to increase, it may also be time to consider whether pre-school education should be made compulsory. A structured pre-school environment provides not only early learning benefits but also an additional layer of protection, where trained educators can observe and report signs of neglect or abuse.

Strengthening early childhood education in these ways would be a meaningful investment in safeguarding children and preventing harm.

Bharathi Manogaran is AWARE’s Deputy Executive Director.