Good to know
Good to Know
- If you've been assaulted, you do not have to report to police to access free support — AWARE's Sexual Assault Care Centre and Care Corner's Project StART will support you regardless of whether you file a police report.
- The National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (1800-777-0000) is the best first call if you need support in Mandarin, Malay or Tamil, since AWARE's SACC services are conducted in English only.
- Emergency contraception is prescription-only in Singapore with no exceptions — plan ahead if you rely on it, since you'll need to see a doctor yourself (in person or via telemedicine) and cannot send a partner to collect it for you.
- Polyclinics generally don't stock the morning-after pill, so a private GP, women's health clinic, or a telemedicine service is usually the fastest route, especially outside office hours.
- Levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception (Postinor) is most effective within 72 hours, while ulipristal acetate (Ella/ellaOne) remains effective for up to 120 hours — don't delay if you need it.
- Regular birth control pills and IUDs require a prescription too, so if you're settling in Singapore for a while, book a GP or gynaecologist appointment early rather than assuming you can walk into a pharmacy.
- Singapore's abortion law is unusually liberal for the region — it's available on request up to 24 weeks — but eligibility is tied to residency/visa status, so short-stay tourists and very recent arrivals typically won't qualify unless their life is at risk.
- If you're on a long-term work pass or have lived in Singapore 4+ months, you're likely eligible; check your specific pass type with a clinic before assuming coverage.
- Budget for the mandatory 48-hour waiting period after counselling — this adds at least two days to any timeline, so plan travel or work commitments accordingly.
- Private clinic and hospital costs vary a lot by method and weeks of pregnancy — get a specific quote at consultation rather than assuming the low end of the price range.
- MediSave subsidies only apply to citizens and PRs, so foreign nomads should expect to pay the full private-pay cost.
Street, Night and Taxi Safety
Street Harassment
Sources describe street harassment and sexual assault as quite rare in Singapore, with most women saying they feel extremely safe being out alone, even late at night. Strict law enforcement is cited as a key reason catcalling and similar behavior are uncommon compared to many other major cities.
Walking Alone at Night
Singapore ranked first in Gallup's 2025 Global Safety Report for feeling safe walking alone at night, with 97% of women and 98% of men reporting they feel secure doing so. Even so, expat-focused guidance advises avoiding certain pockets after dark if alone, specifically naming Orchard Towers, Geylang, and parts of Joo Chiat Road as areas associated with prostitution and gang-related activity.
Taxis and Ride-hailing
Grab is widely described as a trusted option, with every ride GPS-tracked and driver identity verified before pickup; metered taxis (such as ComfortDelGro) are also heavily regulated with no fare haggling. Guidance for visitors recommends hailing taxis only from marked taxi stands or via the app rather than accepting rides from people approaching on the street offering a "taxi," a pattern noted around areas like the airport.
Public Transport Late at Night
The MRT and bus network are described as clean, well-lit, and heavily monitored by security cameras, with most trains running until around midnight before night bus routes and ride-hailing take over. Guides note that while outright harassment or robbery on transit is unlikely, pickpocketing or petty cheating is the more realistic risk to stay alert for.
Practical Precautions
Expat guidance recommends not making a habit of staying out very late, and when doing so, staying alert, avoiding dark or deserted streets, and keeping local friends or contacts informed of your whereabouts. It also suggests being cautious about revealing that you are traveling or living alone when chatting with strangers in bars, shops, or on transport.
Abortion Law And OB-GYN
- Legal Status
- legal
- Where Performed
- Abortions are performed by licensed physicians at both public ('restructured') hospitals — such as KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, and National University Hospital — and at private hospitals and private O&G clinics across the city.
- Legal Framework Overview
- Abortion in Singapore is regulated under the Termination of Pregnancy Act (TPA) and has been legal since 1974, making Singapore one of the first countries in Asia to legalize it. It is available on request (not restricted to specific medical grounds) up to the legal abortion time limit.
Cost
- Low End
- SGD 800
- High End
- SGD 5,000
- Range Note
- Cost varies significantly by procedure type and by whether it is done at a restructured hospital, private hospital, or private clinic.
- Medisave Subsidy Note
- Singapore citizens and permanent residents can use MediSave to offset part of a surgical abortion cost, up to SGD 900 (about USD 696); this subsidy is not available to most short-term foreign visitors.
Process
- Counselling
- Mandatory pre-abortion counselling is required for citizens/PRs aged 16+ and for foreigners who have resided in Singapore 4+ months, to ensure the patient understands the procedure and implications.
- Waiting Period
- A mandatory 48-hour 'cooling off' period must elapse after counselling before the procedure can be performed.
- Confidentiality
- Medical professionals and institutions are legally required to keep abortion records confidential and may only disclose details with the patient's express consent.
- Conscientious Objection
- Individual doctors may refuse to perform the procedure on personal/religious grounds unless it is needed to save the woman's life or prevent grave harm to her health.
Eligibility
- Age
- There is no minimum or maximum age for the procedure. Girls under 16 must undergo mandatory counselling at the Health Promotion Board and obtain a Certificate of Attendance before the procedure can be performed; parental consent is not a strict legal requirement, though minors are encouraged to involve a parent.
- Who Can Access
- Abortion is accessible to Singapore citizens, wives of Singapore citizens, permanent residents, holders of a work pass (e.g. Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit) or dependant's pass, and anyone who has resided in Singapore for at least 4 months immediately before the procedure.
- Foreigners Note
- A foreign nomad on a short-term visa (e.g. tourist visa or under 4 months' residence) generally would NOT qualify unless married to a citizen/PR/work-pass holder, or unless the procedure is immediately necessary to save her life.
Abortion Time Limits
- Beyond Limit
- Termination beyond 24 weeks is prohibited unless necessary to save the mother's life or prevent grave or permanent injury to her physical or mental health; this can only be carried out in a public (restructured) hospital.
- General Limit
- Up to 24 weeks (23 weeks and 6 days by ultrasound dating) of pregnancy.
- Procedure Type By Stage
- Medical (pill-based) abortion is generally offered up to around 9-10 weeks. Surgical abortion (vacuum aspiration) is typical from about 8-14 weeks, with dilation and evacuation used for pregnancies over roughly 14 weeks up to the 24-week limit.
Named OB-GYN Options Central Area
The OBGYN Centre (Dr Kenneth Wong)
- Address
- 290 Orchard Road, #11-07 Paragon Medical Suites, Singapore 238859
- Notes
- Private O&G practice on Orchard Road offering general obstetrics/gynaecology, fertility care, and confidential termination-of-pregnancy consultations; affiliated with Mount Alvernia and Mount Elizabeth Novena hospitals.
GynaeMD Women's & Rejuvenation Clinic (Dr Christopher Ng)
- Address
- 1 Orchard Boulevard, #04-03A, Camden Medical Centre, Singapore 248649
- Notes
- Private obstetrics and gynaecology practice offering routine women's health, obstetric care, and minimally invasive gynaecological procedures.
Eden Women's Health
- Address
- Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road, #07-11, Singapore 258499
- Notes
- Private women's health clinic offering obstetric care, gynaecology, and telemedicine consultations; near-Orchard location.
The Wei-Wei Clinic for Women (Dr Wei-Wei)
- Address
- Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore
- Notes
- Private O&G practice specialising in minimally invasive/laparoscopic gynaecological surgery in addition to general obstetric and gynaecological care.
Timothy Lim Clinic for Women & Cancer Surgery
- Address
- #01-03, Medical Centre A, Mount Alvernia Hospital, 820 Thomson Road, Singapore 574623
- Notes
- Private gynaecology and gynaecological oncology practice also providing general obstetric care.
Assault And Abuse Hotlines
National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH)
- Phone
- 1800-777-0000
- Details
- The National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) is a dedicated 24-hour helpline for reporting of violence and abuse, including sexual violence and sexual harassment, within and outside the family, open to all genders and ages, with services in English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil.
AWARE Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) Helpline
- Phone
- See AWARE website for current helpline number
- Details
- The Sexual Assault Care Centre (SACC) at AWARE provides free services to survivors of all genders (including LGBTQ survivors) who have experienced sexual assault, helping them deal with their experiences and make decisions about their next steps. Services such as case management and legal information sessions are free of charge, while counselling is offered on a sliding scale based on monthly income.
AWARE Women's Helpline
- Phone
- 1800 777 5555
- Hours
- Monday to Friday, 10am–6pm
- Details
- A helpline run by women, for women, staffed by trained volunteers who provide assistance and can advise on contraception, STI testing and other women's health questions.
Care Corner Project StART (Sexual Assault Recovery)
- Phone
- 6476 1482
- Details
- Supports all victims of sexual assault in their recovery journey, regardless of when the incident happened, or who the alleged abuser is, providing free psychologist and counsellor access.
Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) Crisis Line
- Phone
- 1800-221 4444 / 1767
- Details
- 24-hour hotline for anyone in crisis, including those with thoughts of self-harm or suicide following a traumatic incident.
Contraception
- Regulatory Status
- Fully legal and regulated
- General Access Notes
- Birth control is fully legal in Singapore and is widely available via prescriptions from GPs, gynaecologists, or polyclinics, though it is not sold over the counter. In Singapore, individuals aged 16 and above can obtain birth control pills without parental consent.
IUD
- Availability
- Both hormonal and copper IUDs are available in Singapore via a private gynaecologist or public hospitals such as KK Women's and Children's Hospital; the copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception if inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.
- Typical Cost
- Specific up-to-date insertion pricing was not reliably found at the time of research; expect a private gynaecologist consultation plus device/insertion fee, typically higher than a public hospital/polyclinic visit.
- Note
- Cost varies significantly by clinic type (public hospital vs. private gynaecologist) and IUD type; get a direct quote before booking.
Implant
- Availability
- Contraceptive implants are available through private gynaecologists and public hospitals; insertion is a short in-clinic procedure.
- Typical Cost
- Specific up-to-date pricing was not reliably found at the time of research.
Emergency Contraception
- Brands
- The common brands are Postinor-2 (levonorgestrel-based, effective within 72 hours) and Ella/ellaOne (ulipristal acetate-based, effective within 120 hours/5 days). A copper IUD can also serve as emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
- Availability
- Not available over the counter anywhere in Singapore; a doctor's consultation and prescription are required, and the woman must be assessed and consult the doctor herself — a partner cannot obtain it on her behalf. Polyclinics typically do not provide emergency contraceptive pills, so GP clinics, women's health clinics, or telemedicine platforms are the usual route.
Typical Cost
- Pill Only
- SGD 44
Price for the Ella pill itself at private clinics, NETT and inclusive of GST, excluding consultation/delivery fees.
- Total With GP Consultation
- SGD 80
One reported real-world total cost at a GP, combining a roughly SGD 30-40 consultation fee and roughly SGD 40-50 for the pill itself.
- Generic Postinor Note
- Postinor itself can be a low-cost generic, but most GPs mark up the pill and charge a separate consultation fee on top, so total out-of-pocket cost is usually well above the drug's base price.
Oral Contraceptive Pill
- Availability
- Prescription-only; obtained from a GP, private clinic, polyclinic, or telemedicine service after a consultation.
- Typical Cost
- SGD 40
- Note
- Some polyclinics and public healthcare institutions may offer subsidised rates, though certain brands may only be available via a private GP.
Emergency Numbers
- Police
- 999
- Ambulance
- 995
Reporting And Legal Support
- Details
- Community Justice Centre and the Legal Aid Bureau offer free legal information and referrals for assault survivors, and AWARE's SACC runs a legal information clinic where survivors can consult a volunteer lawyer about their options at no charge.
Hospitals With 24hr Emergency And Forensic Exam Capability
Hospitals With 24hr Emergency And Forensic Exam Capability
- Singapore General Hospital (SGH) — 6222 3322 (24hr)
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) — 6-2255 554 (24hr)
- National University Hospital (NUH) — 6772 5000 (24hr)
- Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) — 6256 6011 (24hr)
- Changi General Hospital (CGH) — 6788 8833 (24hr)
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this women's health & safety research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Singapore
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.