"Scent Detected"... Official 'Secondary Harm' in Sexual Harassment Case

Secondary Victimization Against Victim After Sexual Harassment Incident
Conspiracy Theories Also Raised

"Need for Shift in Awareness of Secondary Victimization as a Sexual Violence Culture"

Former Justice Party Leader Kim Jong-chul / Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] After the incident in which former Justice Party leader Kim Jong-chul sexually harassed fellow party member Jang Hye-young, secondary victimization against the victim inevitably occurred online. Every time a sexual-related incident happens, secondary victimization against the victim arises, highlighting the need for countermeasures.

On the 31st, progressive online communities saw posts containing secondary victimization against Representative Jang from the 25th, when the sexual harassment by former leader Kim was revealed. One netizen posted Jang’s statement from her Facebook, commenting, "How should I put it, it seems very well-prepared." The post was followed by a series of comments attacking Representative Jang, such as "If you feel bad, that’s the logic of the perpetrator," and "So what kind of harm did you suffer?" Others demanded that Jang prove the sexual harassment, asking, "Why is there no evidence?"

Following the secondary victimization, conspiracy theories were also raised. Some claimed that "this is a move to push out Representative Kim," and "there’s a suspicious smell," suggesting that the sexual harassment allegation against Representative Jang was a conspiracy to oust former leader Kim.

Secondary victimization against Secretary A, who accused the late former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon of sexual harassment, showed similar patterns. At that time, online communities posted messages such as "Present evidence that you were sexually harassed," and "The accuser should not make ordinary citizens suspicious and must clarify whether harm occurred." Most of these posts demanded that the victim provide proof of sexual harassment by the late Mayor Park, which clearly constitutes secondary victimization.

This secondary victimization does not remain confined to online spaces. On the 23rd, Shin Seung-mok, head of the Anti-Corruption National Participation Solidarity, sparked controversy by announcing plans to file charges against Secretary A for false accusation and murder with indirect intent. Shin also recruited a national accuser group for this purpose through his Facebook.

Experts explain that such secondary victimization originates from patriarchal social culture. Professor Yoon Kim Ji-young of Konkuk University’s Body Culture Research Institute stated, "In male-centered ways of thinking, women’s harm tends to be seen as trivial, and protecting the organization is considered more important than individual safety," emphasizing, "Sexual sensitivity and gender equality education must be mandated nationwide." She added, "Those who commit secondary victimization should be punished not only for defamation but also under relevant provisions in the Sexual Violence Punishment Act," noting, "This is to impose strict penalties and to shift the perception that secondary victimization is part of sexual violence culture."

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