Nowon-gu, Nationwide First to Operate Shelter Exclusively for Abused Infants and Toddlers

As of 2019, 88% of abused child fatalities were aged 0-6... Growing need for dedicated shelters... 143㎡ facility with on-site caregivers and psychologists for therapy... Ensuring effectiveness of immediate separation system and enhancing foster care system expected to improve child abuse response

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) has established the nation's first exclusive shelter for abused infants and toddlers, and began full-scale operation in July.

This initiative aims to reduce the child mortality rate caused by abuse and to enhance the effectiveness of the "Immediate Separation System for Abused Children," which has been in effect since March 30 of this year.

As of December 2020, there are 76 shelters nationwide where abused children live. In Seoul, there are a total of four shelters, but none are exclusively for infants and toddlers. The Seoul Metropolitan Child Welfare Center serves as an infant and toddler shelter, but it is only a temporary protection facility and is always overcrowded as children from all over Seoul are admitted.

Moreover, since these facilities are located far from Nowon-gu, accessibility is low, making urgent countermeasures necessary ahead of the implementation of the "Immediate Separation System."

The district judged that, under the current situation where children have nowhere appropriate to go after immediate separation measures, it would be difficult to expect active and preventive intervention effects from frontline police and responsible officials. Therefore, since February, it has been promoting the establishment of an exclusive shelter for infants and toddlers.

The exclusive shelter for infants and toddlers is approximately 143㎡ in size, including a psychological treatment room. The capacity is seven children, prioritizing those who require protection related to child abuse cases occurring in Nowon-gu. Four childcare workers and one psychological therapist reside on-site to take charge of protecting abused children, providing daily support, counseling, and treatment. All facility operation costs are fully covered by the district budget.

While the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Protective Family System," introduced this year, protects abused children under two years old in a family-like environment, the shelter will serve children under six years old who require more specialized psychological and physical care to aid their recovery.

According to 2019 statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 88% of abused children who died were aged 0 to 6. Among the total 42 deceased children, those under one year old accounted for 19 (45.2%), the highest number, followed by five children each (11.9%) aged one and five, and four children (9.5%) aged three.

Infants and toddlers aged 0 to 6, even if rescued, have limited ability to express themselves, making immediate separation from abusers difficult. Additionally, protective measures require caregiving, and without a dedicated shelter, many children are exposed to the risk of re-abuse due to being placed in original guardianship protection.

The district expects that the establishment of this exclusive infant and toddler shelter will enable a more efficient and systematic operation of Nowon's child protection response system.

Meanwhile, the district has been leading child protection policies by establishing the Nowon-gu Child Protection Agency in 2018, the first among basic local governments nationwide, and by opening a shelter for abused children in 2019, which is the only one among the four Seoul city shelters operated directly by the district.

In April, the district signed an agreement with Inje University Sanggye Paik Hospital, a local medical institution, designating it as a dedicated medical institution for child abuse, thereby laying the foundation for systematic treatment support from pediatric specialists.

District Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, "Even if perpetrators are severely punished, dead children cannot come back to life, and while parents are being punished, the lives of children are destroyed. This is why systematic facility support with public responsibility must come first," adding, "We will continue to do our best to establish a flawless child protection system."

For inquiries, contact Nowon-gu Office Child and Youth Division