[Child Abuse, No Solution?] As COVID-19 Locks Down Daily Life, Children Are Trapped in Violence

<Part 1> The Trap of COVID-19 'Quarantine and Lockdown'

School Delays and Remote Work
Increase Time Spent at Home
Child Abuse Reports in Feb-Mar This Year
Up 13.8% Compared to Last Year

24,604 Annual Child Abuse Cases
60 Children per Day... Doubled in 5 Years
'Repeated Abuse' Highest at 47.9%

Despite social interest and government efforts, the number of children abused at home and school hardly decreases. A bigger problem is that children who have experienced abuse return to their families and are exposed to the risk of abuse again. The lenient punishments for acts of emotional and physical abuse against children are also problematic. This is why voices are calling for addressing institutional loopholes, as interest and efforts alone are insufficient. This article series analyzes the worsening reality and causes of child abuse and explores preventive measures over three installments.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo Byung-don] 24,604 cases. This is the number of child abuse cases recorded by the government over one year. More than 60 children per day. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, school openings were delayed, and parents’ telecommuting increased, resulting in children spending more time at home. Some analyses suggest that these social changes have influenced the rise in child abuse.

According to the National Police Agency on the 10th, reports of child abuse at home received through the emergency number 112 in February and March totaled 1,558 cases, a 13.8% increase compared to the same period last year (1,369 cases). The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency also recorded 614 suspected child abuse reports from January, about 8.3% higher than usual. The increased time children and adults spend together in one space, and counseling centers or child abuse specialized institutions operating mainly through non-face-to-face (untact) consultations, are cited as factors contributing to the rise in abuse.

Recently, it was revealed that a fourth-grade elementary school girl, A, in Changnyeong, Gyeongnam, escaped from physical abuse by her 30-year-old stepfather and was found by a nearby resident. She has been hospitalized for over a week receiving treatment, causing shock. A’s stepfather, B (35), was investigated for abusing her by hitting her on the crown of her head, eyes, and back of her hands, or forcing her to touch a heated frying pan, all because she did not obey. Earlier, in Cheonan, Chungnam, a 9-year-old boy died after being confined in a travel bag for seven hours by his stepmother. The stepmother committed the act because the child did not admit to breaking a game console. Under the Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes, the stepmother, who was arrested on charges of child abuse resulting in death, could face charges equivalent to murder. The police plan to investigate whether there was implied intent to kill?that is, whether the stepmother recognized the possibility that the child confined in the bag could die?and will make a final judgment before sending the case to the prosecution.

Even without the impact of COVID-19, child abuse has been steadily increasing. According to statistics compiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, domestic child abuse cases rose continuously from 10,027 in 2014 to 11,715 in 2015, 18,700 in 2016, 22,367 in 2017, and 24,604 in 2018. The number more than doubled in five years. By type of abuse, emotional abuse accounted for 23.8%, physical abuse 14.0%, and neglect 10.6%. However, the highest proportion was multiple abuse (47.9%), where various types of abuse occurred simultaneously.

There are also criticisms that government statistics do not accurately reflect the trends of child abuse in our society. Most children, including infants and toddlers, lack the ability or will to report abuse, and most abuse occurs secretly at home or school. As brutal child abuse cases continue to occur, the government and police have begun preparing measures for children at risk. President Moon Jae-in said, "There was a tragic incident because the system to identify children in crisis did not function," and urged, "We need to look into measures for that part." Lee Yong-pyo, Commissioner of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, also stated, "Since the possibility of abuse being discovered by teachers or outsiders is low due to online classes, we will strengthen child abuse prevention and monitoring in cooperation with related agencies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.