Gyeongbuk Province Launches 'Banditbul Support Team' to Identify and Manage Blind Spots in Violence Against Women

90 Volunteers Carry Out Public-Private-Police Collaboration Project to Address Violence Against Women

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongwook Park] Gyeongsangbuk-do held the 'Firefly Support Group Launch Ceremony' on the 16th at the Dongnak Hall of the provincial government office to protect high-risk groups vulnerable to female violence, marking a strong start to the community-based social safety net project.

The launch ceremony was attended by about 130 people, including the host organization Gyeongsangbuk-do, the organizing institution Women’s Emergency Call 1366 Gyeongbuk Center, and collaborating organizations such as the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency, Gyeongbuk Counseling Facility Association, and Firefly Support Group members.

The 'Gyeongbuk Firefly Project' is a public-private-police collaborative initiative that manages blind spots of female violence within the province and responds to new types of female violence such as illegal filming and dating violence.

The 'Firefly Support Group' consists of a total of 90 members, including 80 volunteers working with counseling centers in Andong, Gumi, Gyeongsan, and Pohang, and 10 students from the Andong area. They serve as close protectors for high-risk groups of female violence victims, such as ensuring safe return home, and act as illegal filming monitoring teams. They are not merely escorts but communicate with the subjects to prevent problems in advance and help respond quickly if issues arise.

In particular, regarding the illegal filming monitoring activities, 10 student volunteers from Andong city were appointed as Firefly Support Group members to raise awareness about female violence among students and enhance promotional effects.

Lee Won-kyung, Director of the Child and Women’s Happiness Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, emphasized, "We will expand this project to strengthen the social safety net and create a socially shared awareness that all residents are watchers against female violence, thereby making Gyeongsangbuk-do a safe place for women."

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