Assemblyman Kim Won-i, Child Abuse Surges 156% in the Past 5 Years

Reabuse Cases: 1,240 in 2015, 3,431 in 2019, a 177% Increase

"Need to Strengthen Continuous Management System for Child Abuse and Reabuse Prevention"

Won-i Kim, Member of the National Assembly (The Democratic Party of Korea, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] As horrific child abuse and death cases such as the Cheonan stepson carrier abuse case and the Incheon ramen brothers fire case continue to occur, causing public outrage, the number of child abuse reports and abuse cases has increased every year, calling for measures to address child abuse.

According to the data on the "Status of Child Abuse Occurrences in the Last 5 Years" submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Kim Won-i, a member of the National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (Mokpo City, Jeonnam), the number of child abuse cases increased significantly by 156% over five years, from 11,715 cases in 2015 to 30,045 cases in 2019. The number of child abuse reports also rose by 115% over five years, from 19,214 cases in 2015 to 41,389 cases in 2019.

Parents were the most common perpetrators of child abuse. According to the "Status of Child Abuse by Perpetrator," over the past five years, abuse by parents accounted for 77.4% (83,193 cases), followed by substitute caregivers at 14.7% (15,839 cases), relatives at 4.5% (4,870 cases), and others at 1.5% (1,705 cases).

Most child abuse occurred within the home, indicating that abuse is primarily carried out by parents. Abuse within the home accounted for 82.3% (9,641 cases) in 2015, 82.2% (15,371 cases) in 2016, 80.4% (17,989 cases) in 2017, 80.3% (19,748 cases) in 2018, and 79.5% (23,883 cases) in 2019, approaching 80%, highlighting the severity of child abuse.

The problem is that children exposed to abuse once are highly likely to be repeatedly subjected to violence and neglect. The number of re-abuse cases among abused children also surged by 177%, from 1,240 cases in 2015 to 3,431 cases in 2019.

Children who should be protected and respected are suffering from abuse, sometimes leading to death. The number of child abuse deaths increased more than twofold from 16 in 2015 to 36 in 2016, then slightly decreased to 38 in 2017 and 28 in 2018, before rising again to 42 last year.

Assemblyman Kim Won-i pointed out, "Although public social awareness of child abuse has increased, child abuse has risen by 156% and re-abuse by 177% over the past five years, so the situation has not improved." He added, "The 'Child Abuse Dedicated Officer' system to be implemented this October is meaningful in terms of strengthening public responsibility centered on local communities, but to prevent tragedies like the second or third 'carrier confinement' or 'ramen brothers' cases from recurring, more fundamental measures are needed to strengthen continuous management systems for preventing child abuse and re-abuse."

Meanwhile, in June, Assemblyman Kim introduced a partial amendment bill to the "Special Act on the Punishment of Child Abuse Crimes," which raises the penalty for child abuse homicide to life imprisonment or imprisonment for 15 years or more, and for child abuse causing serious injury to imprisonment for 7 years or more.