First Shelter for Abused Disabled Children Opens in Incheon... Capacity of 8

A shelter specializing in caring for disabled children who have suffered abuse has opened for the first time in Incheon.

The Incheon Social Service Institute announced on the 2nd that it has opened and started operating a shelter to support abused disabled children in escaping secondary harm, healing their body and mind, and restoring their daily lives.

The shelter can accommodate a total of 8 children under the age of 18, 4 boys and 4 girls, in separate spaces for up to 9 months. Including the facility director, 12 staff members such as life instructors take care of the disabled children. They provide daily training and academic guidance as well as emergency treatment and psychological therapy.

Interior view of the shelter for disabled children affected in Incheon City [Photo provided by Incheon Social Service Institute]

If abuse is suspected, it can be reported to the Disabled Rights Advocacy Agency or the local Child Protection Agency. After investigators visit the site to confirm signs of abuse and determine it as a case of abuse, the child is immediately separated and transferred to the shelter.

Meanwhile, since 2021, the Incheon Social Service Institute has been entrusted with operating the Incheon Shelter for Abused Disabled Persons. Last year, 3 disabled children stayed here along with adult disabled persons. As of May last year, the number of disabled children in Incheon was 5,257, ranking third among metropolitan cities nationwide.

Hwang Heung-gu, director of the Incheon Social Service Institute, said, "I hope that disabled children who have suffered abuse can rest their body and mind comfortably in a specialized shelter."

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