Gangbuk-gu Establishes Dedicated Organization for Child Abuse Response

Implementation of One-Stop Integrated Child Protection Service... Establishment of Dedicated Organization, Deployment of Dedicated Officials and Protection Officers... Building Regional Safety Ecosystem... Collaborative Child Protection System with Related Agencies, Comprehensive Survey of Children Aged 3

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Gyeom-su) has embarked on establishing a child abuse response system with enhanced public accountability and professionalism.

First, the district will increase the number of dedicated public officials for child abuse and newly hire child protection officers. The investigation duties at abuse sites, previously handled by public-private institutions, will now be carried out by dedicated officials in cooperation with the police. These dedicated personnel will undergo training and internships at specialized institutions and are scheduled to be fully deployed starting in October.

Furthermore, the district plans to establish a dedicated organization to respond to child abuse. The goal is to implement a one-stop integrated child protection service covering everything from abuse detection, investigation, intervention measures, to follow-up management.

Previously, under the 2017 memorandum of understanding among Gangbuk-gu, Seongbuk-Gangbuk Office of Education, Gangbuk Police Station, and child protection specialized agencies, the functions of the integrated network of related institutions currently in operation will also reflect the district’s strengthened response system.

The district aims to expand organic mutual cooperation among dedicated child protection personnel, welfare planners at community service centers, experts from private institutions, and the police to provide tailored services based on children’s living conditions and crisis situations.

In addition, to facilitate early detection and prevention of abused children who are often overlooked, the district plans to expand regular inspections. Aligning with the transition period from home care to a public childcare system, a full survey will be conducted to verify the whereabouts and safety of children aged 3, assessing the status of high-risk abuse groups. Children who have spent extended time at home due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) will be subject to more thorough inspections.

Moreover, the district conducts year-round parent education and counseling programs in collaboration with the Gangbuk-gu Childcare Comprehensive Support Center to enhance understanding of child development processes. These programs aim to break the cycle of violence by changing the mistaken prejudice that children are the property of their parents, serving as an opportunity to raise awareness of children’s rights.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, stated, “The establishment of a dedicated organization and the expansion of professional personnel are expected to be a turning point in enhancing public-centered response and accountability regarding child abuse. We will further strengthen the local safety net ecosystem by positioning public organizations and personnel as the focal point for systematic detection and prevention of children in care crises.”

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