Yongsan-gu Focuses Administrative Efforts on Child Abuse Prevention

Establishment of Public-Centered Response System with 24-Hour Reporting under Article 22 of the Child Welfare Act... Separation of Parents and Children upon Abuse Confirmation... Monthly Case Meetings Continue

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seongjanghyun) is focusing administrative efforts on investigating and preventing child abuse in accordance with Article 22 of the Child Welfare Act (Duty to Prevent and Stop Child Abuse).

The main projects include ▲expanding the detection rate of child abuse ▲establishing a public-centered response system ▲building a community cooperation system.

As of 2019, the child abuse detection rate in the Yongsan area (number of child abuse cases per 1,000 children) was 2.66%, which is lower than the national average (3.81%). To eliminate blind spots, the detection rate must be increased to the level of major advanced countries, which is 5-9% or higher.

To this end, the district operates a 24-hour reporting system. The reporting numbers are divided into 112 and the district’s child abuse emergency hotline, and related officials work day and night shifts so that on-site investigations can be conducted immediately upon receiving a report.

On-site investigations are conducted in pairs, accompanied by the police. The main investigation items include physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. In urgent situations where police accompaniment is not possible, the investigation results are reported to the police in detail.

If abuse is confirmed as a result of the investigation, a protection plan for the victimized child is immediately established. If it is difficult to make an internal judgment on whether abuse occurred, the case is submitted to the Child Welfare Deliberation Committee or the Case Expert Committee to seek opinions from multiple experts.

If more than two suspected abuse reports are received annually, under the amended Child Welfare Act (immediate separation system), the parent and child will be separated, and the child will be admitted to a child shelter or protection facility.

Foster care can also be linked if necessary.

The district also operates public-linked case meetings at least once a month to discuss changes in protective measures for victimized children.

Additionally, a cooperative system is established with Yongsan Police Station, Seoul Mapo Child Protection Agency, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the district’s Integrated Support Center for Families in Crisis, Youth Counseling and Welfare Center, and Disability Welfare Center to prevent work omissions and jointly devise protection and support measures for victimized children.

Seongjanghyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Child abuse is an unforgivable criminal act,” and added, “The district will do its best in prevention activities to ensure that not a single incident occurs in the area.”

In January of this year, the district reorganized its structure and established a “Child Protection Team” within the Elderly and Youth Division. Five officials, including those dedicated to child abuse, have been assigned to the team, which is currently handling child abuse report reception, on-site investigations, and case management.

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