"She Seems Like She'll Have Good Kids" "I Want Her as My Daughter-in-Law" Is Gender Sensitivity in Schools Okay Like This?

"Be a Daughter-in-Law," "I Want to Take Bossam"
23 Cases of Sexual Violence by Teachers Against Students This Year
Experts Urge Creating an Atmosphere to Raise Awareness of Sexual Violence Crimes

File photo. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy reporters Han Seung-gon and Kang Joo-hee] Outrage has erupted after it was revealed that a high school teacher repeatedly made sexually humiliating remarks to a student, including saying, "You look like you'd have good children, so I want to make you my daughter-in-law." There have been ongoing incidents of teachers making sexually harassing remarks to students within schools, prompting calls for strengthened gender sensitivity training for educators and other countermeasures.

Experts emphasized the importance of creating a social atmosphere that raises awareness about sexual violence crimes.

According to the legal community, on the 8th, the Criminal Division 1 of the Chuncheon Branch of the Seoul High Court (Chief Judge Park Jae-woo) overturned the original sentence of a 10 million won fine and sentenced A (54), a teacher tried for violating the Child Abuse Punishment Act, to a 2.5 million won fine on appeal.

A made sexually humiliating remarks to a student from March to April 2018, including "You look like you'd have good children, so I want to make you my daughter-in-law." In addition, until November of that year, A made a total of 11 sexually harassing remarks to students, such as "I want to make you into a doll and hang you next to my desk and in front of my bed," and "I want to take you home like bossam (Korean boiled pork wrap)."

During the trial, A reportedly claimed that the content of the remarks was distorted or exaggerated and that there was no intent of sexual abuse. The second trial court cited as mitigating factors that A apologized to the victim, had received commendations from the education superintendent, and had worked diligently for over ten years.

Incidents of teachers making sexually harassing remarks to students within schools have occurred continuously in the past as well.

Previously, a middle school teacher B in Gwangju was dismissed after making remarks such as "Don't get an erection, set up the (math) formula" and "Did you get excited because the girl next to you was wearing a skirt" to male and female students. B also reportedly stated that there was no sexual intent, saying "The students did not take it unpleasantly."

/Photo by Yonhap News

Sexual violence victimization among students in schools is also reflected in statistics. According to the 'Research on Gender Equality Awareness and Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence in Middle and High Schools' received by Justice Party lawmaker Shim Sang-jung from the Ministry of Education in July, among approximately 144,000 middle and high school students nationwide, 9.2% experienced physical sexual harassment by teachers or school staff, and 25.4% reported experiencing sexual harassment during school life.

This year, the number of sexual violence cases committed by teachers against students in elementary, middle, and high schools has reached 23. According to the nationwide city and provincial education offices as of the 1st, from January to July this year, reported or recognized cases by education offices included 14 cases of sexual harassment and 10 cases of sexual assault such as inappropriate physical contact.

However, punishment for offending teachers remains weak. A was sentenced to only a 2.5 million won fine on appeal, and although B was dismissed from the position, the sexual harassment charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Among the 23 cases of sexual violence committed by teachers against students this year, only one case resulted in dismissal?a controversy involving an elementary school teacher in Ulsan who assigned underwear washing as homework. Three other cases received disciplinary actions such as suspension, pay reduction, or early termination of fixed-term teacher contracts. The rest are either undergoing disciplinary procedures or are under police investigation.

Although the number of sexual violence reports this year has decreased compared to 2018 (162 cases) and last year (140 cases), when the 'School Me Too' movement exposing school sexual violence gained momentum, concerns remain that sexual violence against students in schools has not been eradicated. Particularly, the fact that perpetrators consistently claim "there was no intent" has drawn criticism that teachers' gender sensitivity remains stagnant.

The National Human Rights Commission stated in its 2011 Sexual Harassment Prevention Guide that the standard for judging sexual harassment is based on the victim's perspective, not the perpetrator's, and that the act refers to behavior unwanted by the victim. In other words, sexual harassment can be established if the victim feels 'sexual humiliation' or 'disgust,' regardless of the perpetrator's intent or motive.

Experts stressed the importance of fostering a social atmosphere that strengthens awareness and vigilance against sexual violence.

Jo Jin-kyung, head of the Teenage Women's Human Rights Center, said, "'There was no intent' as an excuse means the person does not know what their wrongdoing is and has never considered it wrong," adding, "Lack of awareness means such sexually harassing remarks are normalized and widespread in the educational community, clearly revealing insufficient gender sensitivity."

She continued, "An environment must be created where victims can actively report when harmed, and punishment for perpetrators must be continuously strengthened," emphasizing, "The most important thing is to establish a social atmosphere that instills vigilance that making such remarks can lead to losing one's job and reputation."

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