Noreen Shazreen, Author at Goody Feed

With the rise in cases of abuse involving foreign domestic workers (FDWs), more Singaporeans are installing CCTVs in their homes to safeguard their loved ones and capture crucial evidence if needed. But realistically, who has time to monitor CCTV footage 24/7, especially if trust has already been established with the helper? This was the case for Ms Huang, whose trust was shattered after a horrifying discovery. How would you feel if you were trying to check if your elderly parent had fallen down, only to discover that they had been physically and verbally abused by someone you trusted? CCTV Caught FDW Abusing 90-YO Woman in S’pore, Which Includes Choking of Woman After hearing her 91-year-old father needed treatment from the doctor for his swollen foot, Ms Huang and her family finally checked the CCTV footage at home, only to discover that their helper was abusing her elderly parents. Speaking to Shin Min Daily News on Sunday (19 January 2025), Ms Huang, 63, explained how her father’s need for treatment led her family to check the CCTV footage. Her father was taken to Singapore General Hospital on 4 January 2025 for swelling, redness, and pain in his left foot. Kaya (name transliterated from Mandarin), a Myanmar national employed since October 2024 to care for her elderly parents in their three-bedroom home in Henderson Crescent, had claimed the injury was due to a fall at home the previous night. However, what the footage revealed was far worse than a simple fall. The CCTV footage showed Kaya not only screaming at Ms Huang’s father after his fall but also assaulting Ms Huang’s 90-year-old mother. The helper was seen strangling and hitting the elderly woman, even dragging her into a room against her will. Abuse Captured on CCTV In footage recorded around 3pm on 3 January 2025, Kaya can be seen sitting directly facing Ms Huang’s mother in the living room. When Ms Huang's mother stood up, Kaya seemed irritated. Afterward, she grabbed Ms Huang's mother by the neck, shook her forcefully, and dragged her into a room, ignoring her screams. Image: Shin Min Daily News At about 10:22pm, Ms Huang’s father fell. It could be seen that Kaya heard the noise and came out of the room, however, she did not help him. Instead, she continued assaulting Ms Huang's mother. Kaya dragged her out of the room, forced her to the ground, strangled her, covered her mouth, and threw her onto the sofa. Image: Shin Min Daily News The abuse continued for about 20 minutes, during which Ms Huang’s father lay on the floor, completely ignored. The following morning, the family contacted the police. Kaya was subsequently arrested. Visible Injuries Found on 90-YO Woman Ms Huang later noticed bruises on her mother’s chin, jaw, neck, and limbs, which she believes were caused by the rough treatment. Her mother was taken to the hospital for a medical examination. Image: Shin Min Daily News Ms Huang added that when Kaya returned to the house on Saturday (18 January 2025) to collect her personal belongings, she showed no remorse and did not apologise to her family after the incident. This was shocking for her, as she felt that she was lenient in Kaya's schedule, even allowing her to cook whatever she wanted, have unrestricted phone use, and take naps. After paying Kaya’s salary for the previous month, the family decided to cut all ties with her. Ms Huang’s parents remain in the hospital for treatment and are expected to be discharged after Chinese New Year. In the meantime, Ms Huang is searching for a new helper to care for her parents once they return home. With numerous cases of abuse involving employers and FDWs, it is important to be vigilant and take proactive measures to ensure no one in your household is experiencing mistreatment. No, we’re not suggesting you install CCTV cameras in every corner of your home. Shared areas like the kitchen and living room are acceptable if you want to be more cautious. However, installing cameras in private spaces, such as bathrooms or your helper’s bedroom, is definitely inappropriate. If you employ a foreign domestic worker (FDW), it’s important to stay informed about the relevant laws and concerns surrounding their employment.