Key Points
- Understanding legal provisions, such as the Vulnerable Adults Act and Mental Capacity Act, will be helpful in ensuring that your loved one’s interests are protected.
- Legal aid is available at the Legal Bureau if you and your loved one require legal assistance.
Understanding the legal provisions available to protect your loved one’s safety and well-being is important. Relevant legal acts to pay attention to include the Children & Young Persons Act (CYPA), Vulnerable Adults Act (VAA) and Mental Capacity Act.
It is important to teach your loved one from young to understand and learn law-abiding behaviours. In situations when they infringe the law, you can help them understand the consequences of their actions, and why their behaviour was wrong.
If your loved one with intellectual disability or autism is interviewed by Investigation Officers, you can request for volunteers trained under the Appropriate Adult Scheme for Persons with Intellectual Disability to assist them through the process. These volunteers assist in communication between your loved one and investigation officers, look out for signs of distress in your loved one and support their emotional well-being where needed. Where possible, you can also ensure that your loved one’s perspective is taken into consideration during the investigation, so that they will be fairly represented and not unduly punished.
Additionally, if you require legal assistance but have limited financial means, you may apply to the Pro Bono SG for legal advice, aid and representation.
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