Bedok Police Division held the Domestic Guardians 10th Anniversary Commemorative Event on 19 November 2023 at SingPost Centre. Started in 2013, the Domestic Guardians workshop, led by the Bedok Police Division, trains Migrant Domestic Workers (MDWs) in the east of Singapore in crime prevention, so that they can better detect and deter crime in the community, and become advocates for crime prevention amongst their fellow MDWs.
Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, was the Guest-of-Honour and joined close to 400 MDWs at the event, where she also officiated the expansion of the Domestic Guardians’ programme from the east of Singapore to island-wide. The event was also attended by representatives from the Singapore Police Force (SPF), and key partners such as the Ministry of Manpower, and the Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training (FAST).
Since its inception, more than 300 MDWs have received training in security awareness and crime prevention measures. The Domestic Guardians have assisted the Police to prevent and detect crime in the neighbourhoods in which they live and work.
One example is Ms Tuti Ratnasih, an Indonesian who has been working in Singapore for 14 years. As a Domestic Guardian, she has shared the knowledge and information about scams and unlicensed moneylending which she gained from the workshops, with her friends, to protect them from becoming victims.
During the carnival-style event, the MDWs participated in educational activities organised by the Police and partner agencies. Apart from crime prevention, the participants also learnt first aid skills from the Singapore Civil Defence Force, dengue prevention tips from the National Environment Agency, as well as money management skills from Non-Government Organisation Aidha. FAST and the Centre for Domestic Employees shared on the opportunities for upskilling, and on improving social well-being. Participants were entertained by performances put up by fellow MDWs.
Commander of Bedok Police Division, Assistant Commissioner of Police Justin Wong said, “Over the past decade, the Domestic Guardians have helped keep neighbourhoods in the east of Singapore safer and more secure. With the island-wide expansion of the scheme, we will be able to spread crime prevention knowledge among more people in our domestic worker community.”
The Police would like to thank our partners from the various agencies for working with the Domestic Guardians to build a safer and more secure community.
Annex A
Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo, giving a speech at the Domestic Guardians 10th Year Anniversary Event ▼
From Left to Right: Mr Adrian Quek, Divisional Director, Ministry of Manpower, AC Charles Shng, Director, Community Partnership Department, Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo, AC Justin Wong, Commander Bedok Police Division, Mr Subhash Pritmani, Executive Committee Vice President, FAST, Ms Crisanta Guiping, Care Sister, FAST ▼
Minister for Communications and Information & Second Minister for Home Affairs, Mrs Josephine Teo, interacting with CODY, a Community Engagement Robot ▼
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
19 November 2023 @ 5:00 PM