[05/02/07] Pact-slashing fever attacks Singapore teens

GIRLS as young as 12 are slashing their arms with penknives in a pact phenomenon that is alarming Singapore's psychiatrists and counsellors

"That they are starting as young as primary school is quite disconcerting," consultant psychiatrist Brian Yeo was quoted as saying. In a recent incident, a group of students in an all-girls' primary school made a collective pact to slash their arms with penknives. The marks on their arms escaped their families' notice, with the incident only coming to light after teachers discovered the scars.It is believed one or two of the girls initiated the idea the others followed. The girls are undergoing counselling and their parents were informed, reacting with dismay and confusion.

Pack-slashing may have become the latest "fashion" among young girls, said Dr Carol Balhetchet, Singapore Children's Society director of youth services. "Young girls seem to want to do things together as a pact. When someone says she wants to cut herself, they will all do it together because they feel it's cool."

Such mutilation happens to more girls than boys who tend to slash themselves to show off said Adelyn Poh, co-founder of the Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association. "Girls, however, tend to do it as a re-direction of their pain," she said. Psychiatrists are concerned that those mutilating themselves are starting younger. Yeo said the phenomenon usually does not occur until secondary school. He expressed particular concern about group slashers who eventually turn to doing it on their own. Parents were urged to spend time with their offspring and get to know the kind of influences that bombard them.