NCPC Pulls the Meme That Got Everyone Laughing (and Cringing)
Yesterday, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) decided to hit delete on a viral meme that had been making rounds on Facebook. The meme, which blew up last Thursday, starred Amber Heard—a name that’s been buzzing in headlines thanks to her alleged defamation suit with ex‑husband Johnny Depp.
What the Meme Actually Said
The meme cut and pasted a photo of Heard’s dramatic, wincin’ face from her testimony. In the original clip, she was about to get slapped (well, a “cavity search”) by Depp after accusing her of hiding his drugs. Cue the cat‑shock, the “I’ve just lost my dog to a bee!” moment.
NCPC used that photo and swapped Heard’s original line “My dog stepped on a bee” with a bunch of silly rhymes that play off “bee.” Think of it like a meme that goes “You can’t just say “I’m not fed” on a K‑bee.” The joke, while viral, didn’t sit well with everyone.
Why People Nixed It
- Feels like a real, personal, raw occasion turned into a joke.
- Most people know the case is still on a legal cliff and things are still unsettled.
- People who’ve survived domestic violence see it as a dose of re‑trauma.
Official Response
On Tuesday night, the NCPC sent out a straight‑forward apology. They claimed the photo was meant to show how people might react when spotting scam signs–and that they didn’t want to degrade anyone. The statement ended with a promise to improve their outreach efforts.
Advocates Speak Out
AWARE is not having a good time with the memes either. Senior communications manager Kelly Leow says that the memes are so widespread that survivors can’t escape them online. She adds:
“Re‑trauma happens when you see the same violent acts that you endured, or when you see jokes that are nothing short of cruel.”
Rachel Lim, 29, a survivor herself, commented that the wave of memes is just too much. She admits it is still very bad taste to make light of a case that’s not even fully decided yet:
“Everyone has an opinion, but if you’re creating a meme, think: do you want a better world or are you aiming to spread hate?”
Bottom Line
The NCPC’s meme was a hit on the internet, but the backlash was a reminder that humor can cut deeper than we think—especially when it comes from sensitive, real-life stories. Let’s keep in mind that a joke might be the most unkind thing someone can do.
<img alt="" data-caption="The National Crime Prevention Council's post was shared 1,000 times before it was taken down on Monday (May 30) night.
PHOTO: Facebook/National Crime Prevention Council” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”84bf818e-9af1-4a9c-a8ad-142dca21b7ce” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/01062022_amber%20heard_ncpc.jpg”/>
Domestic Abuse: Numbers, the Nonsense of Jokes, and a Psychologist’s Reality Check
In 2021, the National Anti‑Violence Helpline in Singapore answered 8,400 distress calls from January 18 to the end of December. Out of 856 cases that the Sexual Assault Care Centre at Aware examined, 197 involved partners who turned their relationships into an unwelcome reality show.
What the Numbers Reveal
- 8,400 calls → 8,400 people cried out for help.
- 856 cases seen in a single year → a hotbed of abuse that needs urgent attention.
- 197 partner‑perpetrated incidents → more than one in four abuse cases come from love’s darkest corners.
Dr. Geraldine Tan’s Hard‑Hitting Take
Dr. Geraldine Tan is a principal psychologist at The Therapy Room who knows what it’s like for survivors of sexual and physical abuse to keep fighting. She says that making light of domestic abuse is a one‑way ticket to harm.
She explains:
“Memes and jokes—no matter who they target—skim over the serious side of the story. When people are laughing at a joke, victims might feel silenced, minimized, or ignored.”
Her message is crystal clear: a chuckle for the wrong reasons can be deadly. The next time you think of turning a banter about abusers into a punchline, ask yourself if you’re about to give someone a reason to feel invisible.
SINGAPORE HELPLINES
I see you’ve shared a list of helpline numbers, but no article text to rework. Could you paste the article you’d like me to rewrite? That way I can give you a fresh, engaging version that keeps the spirit of the original while adding a conversational tone, humor, and clear structure.
