SINGAPORE, Aug. 26 -- Foodcourt staff in Singapore are taking on a new role - spotting signs of domestic abuse.

In July, 77 managers from Koufu, one of Singapore's largest foodcourt chains, were trained by the country's Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) to detect and report family violence, The Straits Times reported yesterday.

Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs and Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming described Koufu staff as the "eyes and ears" on the ground to spot abuse.

He urged companies, schools and the public to help prevent domestic violence, noting a rise in reported low- to moderate-risk cases between 2021 and 2023.

"Domestic violence is a complex issue and requires a whole-of-society effort ...