Child Abuse Increasing Annually in Gyeongnam... Sharp Rise to 2,828 Cases in 2021

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Jucheol In] The number of child abuse reports in the Gyeongnam region has been increasing every year.

According to Gyeongsangnam-do on the 22nd, the number of child abuse reports in Gyeongnam surged from 1,519 cases in 2019 and 1,743 cases in 2020 to 2,828 cases in 2021.

The number of cases judged as child abuse among the annual reports also significantly increased from 1,300 cases in 2019 (child abuse detection rate 2.39%) and 1,443 cases in 2020 (2.7%) to an estimated 1,882 cases in 2021 (3.72%). The child abuse detection rate is a figure converted to the number of cases finally judged as child abuse per 1,000 children in the population.

In response to this increasing trend, Gyeongnam Province has prepared a comprehensive 2022 child abuse prevention plan that thoroughly supplements everything from prior prevention of child abuse to investigation, protection, and recovery support to prevent re-abuse.

This year’s key tasks are divided into four areas: ▲ Strengthening the discovery and early intervention of at-risk children ▲ Expanding child abuse response infrastructure ▲ Supplementing response systems such as child-centered investigation, protection, and recovery support ▲ Improving awareness of child abuse and expanding prevention education.

To strengthen the discovery and early intervention of at-risk children, the system for discovering at-risk children using social security big data will be solidified, and joint inspections among related agencies for children at risk of re-abuse will be conducted. Safety confirmation and training for project managers will be expanded from once a year to twice a year.

Additionally, capacity will be enhanced through joint training and emotional support for dedicated child abuse personnel, and support for at-risk children will be strengthened through active collaboration among the private sector, government, and police. The child abuse response system will be supplemented by expanding child abuse response infrastructure (child protection agencies, shelters for abused children, specialized foster families) and designating regional medical institutions.

During investigations of abuse victims, sharing investigation information among response agencies will minimize the burden on children’s testimonies. When providing temporary protection, confirmation of the child’s will and strengthening cooperation systems to guarantee the right to education will also be enhanced. Recovery support for abused children will be solidified through the operation of a Gyeongnam-type family reunification program and expanded psychological support for victimized children.

Despite the deletion of the ‘parental disciplinary right’ under civil law, a lenient social perception of corporal punishment of children persists. To establish proper parenting views, universal parent education will be expanded, and activation of the child abuse reporting network through private cooperation will also be promoted.

Furthermore, cooperative projects among related agencies to improve awareness of child abuse will be discovered, and resident-participatory campaigns such as online campaigns to join the eradication of child abuse will be expanded.

Lee Sang-hoon, Director of the Women, Family, and Child Bureau of Gyeongnam Province, said, “We will make greater efforts to create an environment where all children can be safely protected,” and added, “Since this is a social issue that requires not only administration but also the interest of all residents, please actively report if you recognize signs of abuse.”

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