Gangbuk-gu Strengthens 'Preemptive Response System' for Child Abuse Prevention

Comprehensive Survey of 852 Children in Care Blind Spots...In-depth Reinvestigation Upon Suspicious Cases...Full Mobilization of Child Abuse Personnel Resources...District-based Responsibility System, Formation and Operation of 'Uri Adong Jikimi'...Establishment of an Organic Child Cooperation System...Regular Communication Platform with Related Agency Practitioners

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Gyeom-su) is introducing a 'preemptive response system' for child abuse that enhances public accountability.

The goal of this measure is to establish a strengthened protection system focused on the detection and prevention of child abuse.

First, the district will conduct an urgent full survey of high-risk households for child abuse by March. It plans to thoroughly examine 308 households and 852 individuals who are in blind spots of care.

Responsible public officials and community welfare planners will visit homes to check parenting styles, home environments, care gaps, and signs of neglect.

Depending on the survey results, if the risk of abuse is high, an in-depth investigation will be conducted jointly with child protection agencies or the police. Children who have long-term absences from local welfare facilities or have not undergone health checkups will be closely monitored on an ongoing basis.

The range of available personnel for child abuse work will be maximized.

Since January this year, the district has established a Child Protection Team and assigned four dedicated child abuse public officials. They work alongside two newly hired child protection officers recruited in October last year. Furthermore, each community service center will operate a 'Child Abuse Task System' and a 'Our Children Protectors' group composed of residents. These personnel will serve as a child abuse reporting network connected to places frequently visited by children, such as local convenience stores.

At the same time, a field-centered child abuse cooperation system will be created. The plan is to activate the operation of an 'Information Sharing Council on Child Abuse' where the local community collaborates closely.

The district intends to enhance the effectiveness of the council by providing a platform for continuous communication among practitioners from the police station, child protection agencies, and education support offices without formal constraints.

Emphasis will also be placed on changing perceptions of child abuse, recognizing it as a form of violence that occurs repeatedly over a long period and as a social problem.

The district will provide child abuse prevention education and psychological counseling to childcare staff and parents in the area. In particular, it is exploring ways to make child abuse education mandatory for parents when applying for various welfare services.

Additionally, in cooperation with the local community, year-round campaigns for child abuse prevention and awareness improvement will be conducted. Not only child welfare facility workers but all public officials will receive related training.

Park Gyeom-su, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, stated, “This measure is significant in expanding the public role and accountability for child abuse prevention through collaboration with the local community and related organizations. We will continue to supplement any additional necessary measures to ensure the stable establishment of the preemptive child abuse response system.”