What Are the 6-Month Results of the Newly Established Gyeongnam Police Special Child Abuse Investigation Team?

97 Cases Processed, 5 Arrested

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Saeyan] The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 2nd that the special investigation team for child abuse, established in February this year, has handled 97 cases and arrested 5 individuals.

In line with the inaugural year of police-led investigations, they evaluated their efforts as having conducted independent and proactive investigative activities, including rapid on-site investigations and involving court-appointed lawyers during on-site verifications.

Additionally, within six months since its establishment, the team has led institutional improvements such as raising awareness for reporting in schools and local communities where children are habitually victimized, and demanding changes to the system for examining students' emotional and behavioral characteristics.

Looking at major achievements, in June this year, the suspect in a child abuse death case in Namhae was charged with child abuse homicide under the newly revised Child Abuse Punishment Act, a first nationwide application of this law.

In the Hadong Seodang abuse case, contact between the operator and the victims was blocked through a restraining order application.

Both Seodang instructors involved in the two problematic locations were strictly investigated and arrested on charges of habitual child abuse.

During the investigation, they also led improvement models such as establishing management measures for dormitory-type Seodangs in cooperation with the Office of Education and local governments.

In a severe injury case involving a 7-month-old infant in Sacheon in May, the perpetrator, the biological mother, was arrested.

To facilitate the victim's swift return to daily life, treatment costs and other support were provided in coordination with related institutions.

A police official stated, "We will support the victimized children to recover normally through collaboration with related agencies," and added, "We plan to actively work to prevent such abuse from occurring in advance."

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