"Police Urge Settlement to Child Reporting 'Forced Prostitution'"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] A human rights organization has accused a police officer of urging the victim to settle instead of properly investigating a person who facilitated online sexual prostitution of children and adolescents.

The Teen Female Human Rights Center announced on the 11th that it filed a complaint and accusation with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against a police officer affiliated with the Hyehwa Police Station on charges of dereliction of duty, abuse of authority, and damage to official documents.

According to the center, the victim child, Ms. A, reported Mr. B, who had offered to arrange sexual prostitution using a smartphone online last December and coerced her into accepting through persuasion, threats, and force, along with another victim, to the police.

Ms. A claimed that Mr. B arranged sexual prostitution multiple times, committed extortion and sexual violence, and stalked her by monitoring her with a smartphone.

In the complaint, the center wrote, "Although the Hyehwa Police Station confirmed that Ms. A was a minor and recognized signs of sexual exploitation, they did not even give her an opportunity to testify," adding, "The responsible police officer did not take protective measures such as separation of the victim and, without properly understanding the case, urged the victims to settle with the sexual prostitution facilitator."

They further stated, "This police officer made Mr. B write a promissory note to repay money, destroyed the complaint submitted by another victim, and simply sent them away."

The center pointed out, "This is a typical example of the unfair and illegal attitude of investigative agencies that do not regard children and adolescents who are victims of sexual prostitution facilitation as victims."

In response, a Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency official said, "After reviewing the complaint and accusation, we plan to designate the department that will investigate the case."