*Trigger Warning: Mentions of Sexual Assault

A child is trying to understand what happened to him while his father is trying to hold his family together.

In early 2026, a 13 year old boy experienced sexual assault in a public toilet in Singapore.

He went home crying and told his parents about what had happened. His parents then reported the incident to the police.

*For the safety and privacy of the child and his family, they have chosen to remain anonymous.

“Why was no one there to help me?”

That is one of the questions this young boy asked his parents, the father mentioned.

At 13, he is trying to make sense of an experience that no child should ever have had to go through.

Since the incident, seemingly ordinary moments can become frightening. For example, the father shares that on multiple occasions while cycling, his son has suddenly stopped and ran back to him in distress because he believes he has seen someone connected to what happened. The father then has to reassure him that that is not the case and that the man has been taken to custody.

There are times when the father feels hopeful that his son is beginning to recover, only to see him take a step back again. The fear can return unexpectedly, sometimes triggering panic and leaving his son overwhelmed and in tears.

For the father, watching his son go through these ups and downs has been difficult. He can see that his son is trying to move forward, and he continues to stand by him through each difficult moment.

There have also been occasions when he has tried to run away from home, leaving his parents frightened and searching for him.

He continues to attend school and is most comfortable speaking with his school counsellor. He has also received medical attention, including testing for Hepatitis B and C, and has been referred for further professional support.

His parents are doing everything they can to help him feel safe again.

A father who keeps asking himself what he could have done differently

Since learning what happened to his son, the father has carried an enormous sense of guilt.

He finds himself asking whether he could have protected his son;

Whether he should have taught him more about how to protect himself;

Whether he could have done something differently to prevent his family from ever reaching this point.

These are questions that weigh heavily on him.

But a child should never be responsible for protecting themselves from someone who chooses to harm them. And a father should not have to carry the blame for another person’s actions.

What the father can do now is be there and that is exactly what he is trying to do.

While his son tries to heal, the father is trying to keep the family afloat

The family’s circumstances have changed significantly since the incident.

His mother previously worked in administration at a large company. She made the difficult decision to leave her job so she could stay home and care for their son.

The father works in a part-time job now, from a full-time role previously. He has had to reduce the number of shifts he takes so he can care for his four children and manage their daily routines, including school drop-offs and pick-ups.

As a result, the family’s household income has fallen by more than half.

He is now the family’s sole breadwinner while trying to support his son through a deeply difficult period.

He cannot change what happened to his son. But he is determined to do everything he can to help his family move forward.

The financial pressure is growing

The family of six continues to face everyday expenses despite their significant loss of income.

Their current expenses include:

• Groceries, milk and diapers: approximately $1,200 per month
• Phone bills: approximately $60 per month
• Medical check-ups for their son: approximately $150 per month
• Outstanding utility bills: more than $2,000
• Transport, school-related costs and other essential expenses for their four children

The boy’s mother is also struggling with her mental health following everything the family has experienced.

The family has received some support, but their reduced income means they continue to face financial uncertainty.

The father cannot undo the past. But he can help build what comes next.

Every day, the father is trying to do what he can.

He works the shifts he is able to take.

He takes care of his children.

He makes sure they get to school.

He is there when his son is frightened.

And he is trying to create a sense of safety and stability at home.

He carries the financial responsibility of the family while watching his son struggle with something he wishes he could have protected him from.

He wishes he could take his son’s pain away.

He cannot.

But he can stand beside him.

And with support from the community, he can give his family the breathing room they need to heal and rebuild.

Help this family rebuild

We are raising $10,000 to help this family manage the financial burden they are facing and provide some stability while they recover.

The funds raised will help cover outstanding bills and provide at least 5 months of essential living expenses, giving the family some much-needed breathing room while the father continues caring for his children and supporting his son through recovery.

Your contribution will help with:

• Essential household expenses: Food, utilities and other basic necessities for a family of six.
• Loss of income: Supporting the family while the father’s working hours remain limited and his wife is unable to return to work.
• Medical and emotional support: Helping with ongoing medical check-ups and appropriate professional support for their son.
• Children’s needs: School, transportation and other everyday necessities for their four children.
• Rebuilding and recovery: Giving the family some financial breathing room as they work towards rebuilding a more stable future.
• Give this family room to heal: This family never expected to need to ask for help.

They have kept what happened private from their extended family and have not shared the incident with their other children.

They are asking for support now because the emotional and financial weight has become too much for one family to carry alone.

A young boy is trying to understand what happened.

A mother has stepped away from work to care for her child.

And a father is doing everything he can to keep his family together.

They cannot change what happened. But they can choose what comes next.

With your support, this family can have the breathing room to focus on healing, caring for their children and rebuilding their lives.

Help a family rebuild.