When Home is No Longer Safe: A Singaporean Woman’s Story of Being Chased Out by Her Father

A Singaporean woman shared a deeply personal account in the Complaint Singapore Facebook group, revealing how she was chased out of her father’s home yet again — a cycle she says has repeated itself for years.

In her post, the woman, identified here as Tay, explained that this was not the first time she had been forced to leave. In the past, her belongings had been thrown out, and she described experiencing violence when she was younger. After her mother passed away two years ago, she began to reflect on her upbringing and realised that the way she had been treated was not normal.

She added that she is her father’s only daughter, but said she was always treated differently.

A Question That Changed Everything

According to Tay, the most recent incident followed a difficult conversation she had been carrying with her for a long time.

She wrote that she finally asked her father whether she was his biological daughter. His answer, she said, was no. He allegedly told her that her biological father had passed away, and that her biological mother had remarried. When she asked for more details, none were given.

Soon after, she found herself facing the reality of having no stable place to stay.

“I feel lost and overwhelmed,” she wrote, adding that she was not sharing her experience to seek sympathy, but because she genuinely did not know what to do next.

Trapped Between Renting And Returning

Tay explained that she had previously tried to move out and live independently, but the constant moving took a heavy toll on her.

In a follow-up comment, she shared:

“I am tired keep moving around (rent a flat outside), that’s why go back stay with dad but every now and then he keep chase me out.”

She added that she had applied for a public rental flat several years ago, but her application was unsuccessful as her income exceeded the eligibility threshold at the time. She also explored other rental housing options, only to find them fully taken.

With limited options, returning home felt like the only choice. Even if it meant risking being forced out again.

Strangers Step In With Hard-Won Advice

The post drew a wave of responses from others who said they had faced similar situations, offering advice grounded in their own experiences of leaving home under difficult circumstances.

One commenter shared how they survived the initial period after leaving home by turning to short-term accommodation, writing that they stayed in a capsule-style lodging for weeks until their next paycheck allowed them to secure a rental. Despite sharing a room with strangers, they said the arrangement provided stability, adding that “at least i have access to clean water to shower, laundry and a bed.”

Another commenter advised Tay to look first to people she trusts, writing:

“The immediate solution is ask around your friend, who has a place to accommodate you for the time being.”

Others pointed out that room-sharing, while far from ideal, can offer a temporary sense of safety and routine. Particularly while someone regains their footing.

The Emotional Weight Behind ‘Just Move Out’

Beyond practical tips, some commenters addressed the emotional toll of living under constant threat of being chased out.

One shared how abusive parents often weaponise housing insecurity, recalling how someone they knew was told, “Oh really? Where are you going to go? This is Singapore. No one will help you;” a claim they said later proved untrue.

Another reminded Tay that her treatment was not justified, regardless of family ties, writing:

“Whether you’re his biological child or not….he has no right to treat you that way.”

For Tay, the responses offered reassurance that she was not alone. They also underscored how many people are forced to rely on informal arrangements, personal resilience, and the advice of strangers just to stay afloat.

As she continues to search for stability, her story raises a difficult question many quietly face. What happens when going home is unsafe, but leaving for good feels impossible?