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Fri, Apr 03, 2009
my paper
Baby-sitter from hell

By Victoria Barker

SETTING up a spycam could well be the best way for parents here to keep watch on their maids and the children under their care.

Security experts told my paper that some surveillance systems with spycams - some smaller than a thumb - allow parents to log on to a website and monitor what goes on in their homes while they are at work.

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"This way, you are aware of what's happening at home at all times. You'd have peace of mind," said Mr Shaun Eric, general manager of security firm AA Security.

Agreeing, sales manager Rina Low, 32, said: "With the cameras, I'd know what goes on when I am not around."

Their comments came in the wake of a video clip, posted on citizen-journalism site Stomp, showing what appears to be a maid brutally kicking, trampling and flinging around a young girl.

Police said they will be contacting the Stomper to obtain more information on the video.

The clip was put up on Stomp yesterday and, by last night, more than 17,000 people had watched it. The clip attracted over 140 comments, many of them from parents.

It is not known when the attack took place. But the incident occurred in what looked like the living room of a Housing Board flat.

"I think the maid dared to do this because the girl is still very young and can't speak up for herself," said Stomper mushroomi.

A straw poll conducted by my paper showed that a majority of parents here have misgivings about entrusting their children to domestic workers.

There were a few exceptions. "I trust my maid. Installing a spycam would betray that trust," said consultant G. Cheah, 31.


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