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Syarafana Shafeeq

Syarafana, or Fana for short, joined The Straits Times in 2021. As a journalist on the social affairs team, she covers issues such as family violence, mental health and disability. She is particularly interested in topics concerning women and children, and hopes to shed light on the struggles of vulnerable groups.

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Latest articles

More new cases of spousal, elder abuse in 2024 amid greater awareness of domestic violence

Elder abuse, involving those aged 65 and above, is often carried out by a family member or a caregiver whom the victim trusts, the report said.
Elder abuse, involving those aged 65 and above, is often carried out by a family member or a caregiver whom the victim trusts, the report said.

Number of child abuse cases in Singapore up in 2024, primary school kids make up biggest group

Posed photo of a young boy being tortured. [Generic photo for family violence, child abuse, stress]
Posed photo of a young boy being tortured. [Generic photo for family violence, child abuse, stress]

NUS Medicine students hold free health screenings in Queenstown to boost dementia awareness

ST20251206_202592700610 Azmi Athni ssdementia06//

Elderly participants at Project iRemember 2025, community health initiative led by NUS Medicine students to promote early dementia detection, at Queenstown Community Centre on Dec 6, 2025. 

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
ST20251206_202592700610 Azmi Athni ssdementia06//

Elderly participants at Project iRemember 2025, community health initiative led by NUS Medicine students to promote early dementia detection, at Queenstown Community Centre on Dec 6, 2025. 

ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

New task force set up by Govt to support those with disabilities; Enabling Village opens new space

Vista, a four-storey block at the Enabling Village, officially opened on Dec 5.
Vista, a four-storey block at the Enabling Village, officially opened on Dec 5.

New tie-up to broaden career opportunities for Singapore College of Islamic Studies graduates

Singapore University of Social Sciences and Singapore College of Islamic Studies Memorandum of Understanding Signing CeremonY
Singapore University of Social Sciences and Singapore College of Islamic Studies Memorandum of Understanding Signing CeremonY

Young and on the streets: Number of under-35s rough sleeping on the rise in Singapore

Community groups and volunteers say they have seen an increase in the number of rough sleepers aged below 35.
Community groups and volunteers say they have seen an increase in the number of rough sleepers aged below 35.

1 in 3 pre-school educators in S’pore has no formal training to handle child abuse cases: Survey

Close to 19.3 per cent of educators said they were just aware of but not familiar with their centre’s SOPs.
Close to 19.3 per cent of educators said they were just aware of but not familiar with their centre’s SOPs.

More reports of suspected child abuse in pre-schools in 2024, with CCTVs aiding investigations

CCTV cameras have been made mandatory in all pre-schools here since July 2024.
CCTV cameras have been made mandatory in all pre-schools here since July 2024.

Local charity, MOE to get CEOs and high-net-worth individuals on neighbourhood school committees

CMG20251120-WooFL01/GiveFest Asia [University Cultural Centre, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent] -- Minister Desmond Lee tour of the exhibition of GiveFest Asia and talked the students who in their project
CMG20251120-WooFL01/GiveFest Asia [University Cultural Centre, 50 Kent Ridge Crescent] -- Minister Desmond Lee tour of the exhibition of GiveFest Asia and talked the students who in their project

Most children have secured places elsewhere ahead of pre-school closure by Beyond Social Services

Beyond Social Services had earlier announced that Healthy Start Child Development Centre will shut down operations at the end of 2025 due to declining enrolment.
Beyond Social Services had earlier announced that Healthy Start Child Development Centre will shut down operations at the end of 2025 due to declining enrolment.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.