[2020 National Audit] Baek Hyeryun "Child Abuse Crimes Increase Every Year... Strict Response Needed"

Baek Hye-ryun, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] The number of reported child abuse crimes has steadily increased over the past five years. There are calls for strict judicial measures against child abuse crimes.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Justice to Baek Hyeryun, a member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, the number of crimes reported to the prosecution under the "Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes" rose dramatically from 1,019 cases in 2014 to 7,994 cases in 2019, an increase of 684%. On the other hand, the detention rate for child abuse cases was significantly low compared to the increase in reported crimes, with rates of ▲3% in 2015 ▲4% in 2016 ▲2% in 2017 ▲1% in 2018 ▲1% in 2019.

It is pointed out that strong judicial action is difficult because abused children have no choice but to return to their primary caregivers and abusers, their parents, and due to the perception that "child abuse can occur as an accident during parental discipline." Lawmaker Baek urged, "Lenient punishments for child abuse put children's lives at risk," adding, "We call for strict measures against child abuse crimes that seriously hinder children's development and well-being and even threaten their lives."

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