"Sexual Assault by Husband's Boss at Newlywed Home... Feeling So Unfair" National Petition

A national petition was posted claiming that she was sexually assaulted by her husband's workplace superior. / Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board (right)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Ju Cheol-in] A claim that a woman was sexually assaulted by her husband's workplace superior in their newlywed home has sparked public outrage.

A, a woman in her 30s, expressed her grievance in a post on the Blue House National Petition Board on the 4th.

She explained the situation, saying, "A few months ago, my husband, his workplace superior, and I had a first round of drinks and dinner at a nearby restaurant," and "Due to COVID-19, we decided to have a simple second round of drinks at our home."

According to A, B, her husband's workplace superior, often invited employees' spouses to company dinners, and she had previously joined such gatherings. This time was no different. A said that after drinking with her husband and B at their newlywed home that day, she experienced a blackout (temporary memory loss).

The next morning, she was confused by the unusual surroundings. Her underwear and pants were found turned inside out and scattered on one side of the living room, and B had already left the house, according to A's claim. She also mentioned that unknown tissues were found in the bathroom.

Suspecting sexual assault, A reported B to the police despite knowing that her husband could face disadvantages since B held personnel authority.

A stated, "During the police investigation, B claimed, 'I caressed the victim's body but did not have sexual intercourse,'" and "Since B confessed, I thought he would be prosecuted at least for forced sexual molestation."

However, the police dismissed the case against B due to insufficient evidence.

A expressed frustration, saying, "The case is currently with the prosecution with the help of a public defender. The police said that since I was blackout and did not resist or scream, it was considered consensual," and "Because my husband was sleeping in the living room, if I had resisted or screamed, there was a high chance the crime would have been discovered."

She questioned, "Is it reasonable for a newlywed couple, whose first wedding anniversary is the following week, to engage in (alleged) sexual acts with the husband's workplace superior, whom they have no personal intimacy with and only met together at a company dinner, while the husband is sleeping beside them, under mutual consent?"

She added, "B has hired a lawyer from a major law firm to respond," and "B refused to take a lie detector test and asked my husband to let him meet me. He also demanded that I retract my statement about being assaulted during blackout and instead claim there was an agreement."

A emphasized, "Although it sounds like I am seeking a settlement, I have never mentioned or even considered one," and "Despite being a father of two children, B has been additionally accused of sexual harassment and molestation involving another employee and even a high school student."

She appealed, "Since this incident, I have been suffering from severe depression and am receiving psychiatric treatment with medication."

She continued, "My father-in-law said he cannot let me and B live in the same area and encounter each other, so he even held a one-person protest in front of B's house in this heatwave. Only then did B say he would move to another area," and "I am angry at the police and prosecution for listening only to the perpetrator's side and not the victim's. I truly feel wronged." As of 1:50 PM on the 5th, A's petition had received about 1,400 endorsements.