Gwangju Child Sunflower Center Fulfills Its Role 'Effectively'

Since Opening in 2005, Services Provided to 2,754 People and 86,646 Cases

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Gwangju Sunflower Center (Children), a dedicated center for child and adolescent sexual violence, celebrating its 15th anniversary, has been fulfilling its role by providing a total of 86,646 services.

According to the Gwangju Sunflower Center (Children) on the 29th, the center was established and has been operated since June 29, 2005, entrusted to Chonnam National University Hospital with support from the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

It provides integrated services such as medical care, legal assistance, and psychological treatment to child and adolescent victims of sexual violence, intellectually disabled individuals, and their families.

Over 15 years, a total of 2,754 victims have received 86,646 services including medical support, counseling and legal assistance, psychological support, and accompaniment support.

Analysis of victim cases reported over the past 15 years shows that victims under the age of 13 and offenders under the age of 19 are increasingly on the rise.

Victims under 13 years old accounted for an average of 59% (1,609 individuals) of all victims, revealing that victimization among younger age groups remains at a serious level.

Perpetrator Age.

The proportion of offenders under 19 years old increased significantly from an average of 36% during the past 10 years (2005?2014) to 63.6% in the recent 5 years (2015?2019).

Also, the percentage of victims assaulted by acquaintances among all offenders rose from 64.4% in the past 10 years (2005?2014) to 78.3% in the recent 5 years (2015?2019).

Among acquaintances, victims assaulted by the closest relations such as family, relatives, peers, and seniors or juniors accounted for a staggering 88.8% in the recent 5 years.

Relationship with the perpetrator.

Secondary damage, including distorted views and rumors about victims and threats from offenders, is gradually increasing, becoming more diverse and severe, causing further mental and social harm.

Based on extensive support for minors, the center plans to actively devise support measures to prevent blind spots for victims amid evolving types of harm such as digital sex crimes and secondary damage.

Furthermore, building on the past 15 years, the center will continuously strengthen its capacity to support victims and expand its role as an advisory and cooperative institution for sexual violence victim support and policy development in the local community.

Center Director Lee Sam-yong stated, “We will continue to do our best to sincerely support victims together with the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Gwangju Metropolitan City, Chonnam National University Hospital, and related local organizations, and become a specialized institution that conveys the voices of victims to society.”

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