Gwangjin-gu Crisis Family Integrated Support Center Plays Key Role as Domestic Violence Support Team

Published 18 Sep.2020 07:00(KST)

A's Story of Regaining Self-Esteem from Husband's Verbal Abuse and Earning Social Worker Certification to Help Others in Similar Situations... Since Opening in October 2018, 2,666 Cases of Hidden Crisis Families Discovered and Supported

Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Counseling for Families in Crisis

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) is effectively fulfilling its role through the 'Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis' that it operates.

The 'Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis,' which opened in October 2018, has identified and supported a total of 2,666 families in crisis located in blind spots within the district to date.

Specifically, this includes ▲2,141 cases of counseling and linkage to specialized institutions ▲145 cases of integrated case management intervention ▲416 cases of managing households at risk of recurrence.

A (female, 44), who received help through the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis, said, "Because of my husband's disregard and verbal abuse, my heart would race and my hands would sweat just seeing a man in a shirt, but through the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis, I regained my self-esteem," adding, "I even obtained a social worker certification to help others in similar situations."

B (female, 31) tried to enter a shelter at another institution due to her husband's violence and verbal abuse but was rejected as a mentally ill person, and the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis extended a helping hand.

B said, "Through the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis, I received economic support, guidance on child-rearing methods, and psychiatric treatment, which helped stabilize my mental health and maintain basic living," adding, "Currently, I am preparing to apply for a vulnerable group rental housing lease so I can live with my children while planning for the future."

As such, the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis works in mutual cooperation with the Gwangjin Police Station, with six staff members including integrated case managers, abuse prevention police officers, and counselors on duty at all times. They provide one-stop service from initial counseling to social welfare service provision and continuous follow-up management for families in crisis reported to 112.

In cases requiring immediate intervention, with prior consent, they conduct specialized counseling based on the report contents, assess the situation, and provide tailored services or connect to specialized institutions. For high-risk households with frequent reports or lost contact, joint visits are conducted with abuse prevention police officers to ensure safety before proceeding with counseling.

Additionally, legal support is provided through legal home doctors (lawyers) affiliated with the Welfare Policy Division, and customized services are offered in cooperation with specialized related institutions such as local housing welfare centers and mental health centers.

The district plans to promote the center through a joint campaign with the Gwangjin Police Station in the second half of this year to prevent domestic violence and abuse, making the center easily accessible to any residents at risk of domestic violence.

Kim Seon-gap, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, "Along with the social and economic instability caused by COVID-19, the increased time spent at home with family has created even more dangerous situations for those exposed to domestic violence," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that the Gwangjin-gu Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis becomes a reliable support force for families affected by domestic violence, focusing on monitoring and follow-up management to prevent recurrence."