SWK352: Children and their issues Assignment, SUSS, Singapore: Kumar (7 years old) ran to his neighbour’s (Mdm. Siti) flat to escape from his father’s further beating

First, Thiru’s work hours – he works as a cargo handler on the night shift and would be very tired by the time he reached home around noon the following day. Second, Thiru has been very frustrated by Kumar’s inability to focus while Thiru struggles to do his best to coach him in his studies when Ranee is at work. Ranee disagreed with Thiru’s use of physical punishment. She felt that Thiru could get over his feelings of frustration with Kumar with time. However, she had seen Thiru’s increasing use of harsh physical punishment on Kumar.
While she was concerned about this, she was at a loss on what to do.

On the day of the critical incident, Thiru had a quarrel with his work place supervisors again and came home later than usual after his night shift. Being aware that he would reach home later, Thiru had called home to ask Kumar to start doing his homework so that Thiru could help him after he reached home. However, Thiru found Kumar playing with his handphone and had not yet started on his homework. Thiru became angry and smashed Kumar’s phone
and caned him with the clothes hanger repeatedly. He scolded Kumar, telling him not to be lazy, if not, Kumar would end up like him, having to take instructions from young and inexperienced supervisors. Kumar had never seen his father being so angry before and ran out of the flat to look for Mdm. Siti.

You wanted to speak with Thiru about the use of harsh physical punishment on Kumar but Ranee rejected the request. She said she would find a way to settle this issue although she was unclear how she would do so. She told you not engage Thiru as she was unsure of Thiru’s response if he found out that she and Kumar had sought help at CFSC. Ranee said she would bring Kumar to see a doctor for his bruises. She asked that you keep all this confidential. Meanwhile, Kumar looked really scared and was crying. He asked if he could stay with his maternal grandmother whom they have a good relationship with and who lived nearby.