Eradicating Digital Sexual Crimes Among Youth...First Comprehensive Survey in Elementary, Middle, and High Schools

Ministry of Education to Conduct Improvement Plan Study by Next Month
Unannounced Inspections of Illegal Cameras at Least Twice a Year

On March 23, in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, participants at the press conference condemning the 'Telegram N-bunbang Prevention Act' (Amended Sexual Violence Punishment Act) are urging the eradication of digital sex crimes and demanding strict punishment.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] To eradicate the increasingly severe digital sexual violence crimes, the education authorities will conduct a comprehensive survey on all elementary, middle, and high schools nationwide. The Ministry of Education annually assesses the situation of sexual crimes through school violence surveys, but this is the first time a separate investigation focusing solely on digital sexual violence is being conducted.

On the 23rd, the Ministry of Education held the 16th Social Relations Ministers' Meeting and the 6th Human Investment and Talent Development Council at the Government Sejong Complex to discuss the "Current Status and Future Plans for the Promotion of Measures to Eradicate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Education Sector." This initiative is a follow-up review of the "Measures to Eradicate Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in the Education Sector" announced in 2018, considering the changed environment such as the occurrence of digital sexual crimes like illegal filming, and includes supplementary measures.

First, the Ministry of Education will conduct a comprehensive survey by next month to identify digital sexual violence in elementary, middle, and high schools and to prepare countermeasures. Using the results from this survey, a policy study will be promoted by the end of this year to develop youth peer culture and improvement plans regarding digital sexual violence. Additionally, to strengthen the response system against digital sexual violence, the Ministry will expand the dedicated sexual harassment and sexual violence organizations within metropolitan and provincial offices of education (currently 10). Furthermore, inspections for 'illegal camera installations within schools,' which have never resulted in any detection due to prior announcement of crackdowns, will be conducted more than twice a year on an unannounced basis.

If a teacher is under investigation for child and youth sexual crimes or child abuse allegations, suspension from duty will be possible, and if a teacher candidate has a criminal record related to sexual crimes during their teacher training, their qualification acquisition will be restricted. Gender-sensitivity education for teachers will also be strengthened. Completion of gender-sensitivity education will be mandatory once a year during teacher training courses, and digital sexual crime prevention education will be included in qualification and job training for active teachers.

In collaboration with the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, the Ministry will actively guarantee protection of whistleblowers’ identities and medical expenses, and will strictly respond to any leakage of whistleblower identities or unfair treatment. The installation of dedicated counseling organizations for sexual harassment and sexual violence within universities will also be mandated. The Ministry of Education plans to revise the Higher Education Act and its enforcement decree to organize and regulate the structure, personnel, and roles of these organizations. A standard operation regulation for dedicated organizations, including victim protection, incident handling procedures, and prevention of secondary damage, is scheduled to be distributed next year.

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