SINGAPORE – A new study by Singapore’s National Council of Social Service (NCSS) has found that individuals who were abused as children are nearly twice as likely to experience spousal violence as adults. The research highlights the lasting impact of early trauma and the importance of timely intervention, according to Eric Hoo, NCSS’s director of translational research.

The study reveals that people with childhood abuse experiences are 1.8 times more likely to face spousal violence compared to those without such trauma. Additionally, children exposed to parental spousal violence are up to 2.1 times more likely to be abused themselves.

The study also emphasized that financial aid and support services, such as counseling, can help reduce the risk of child abuse in families affected by spousal violence.

Based on anonymised data from about 200,000 Singapore residents, the findings will help the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and NCSS refine their programs to address domestic violence. In 2023, the MSF reported 2,008 new spousal violence cases, a rise from 1,741 in 2022, which it attributes to increased awareness and better reporting.