[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] A petition has been posted claiming injustice after a 14-year-old male student with a history of sexual offenses sexually assaulted an 8-year-old daughter at a protective treatment facility.
On the 11th, a post titled "My daughter was sexually assaulted by a student at a protective treatment facility. Please help punish the facility" was uploaded on the Blue House National Petition Board.
The petitioner, A, who identified as a dual-income couple, sent their 8- and 5-year-old daughters to their in-laws' rural home starting mid-February last year due to the uncertainty of school reopening amid the COVID-19 situation.
After about a month, when the 8-year-old daughter, who said she was going to visit a relative's house briefly, did not return for a long time, A’s mother-in-law called out loudly for her daughter, and shortly after, the frightened daughter ran back home.
A explained, "A 14-year-old male student staying at the protective treatment facility took my daughter into an annex of the facility and forcibly molested and confined her." Summarizing the daughter's statement, the perpetrator forced her to touch his private parts, blocked the door to confine her when she tried to escape, and repeatedly sexually assaulted her."
He added, "The male student has ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), difficulty controlling sexual urges, violent tendencies, impulsivity, and tic disorder," and claimed, "There are an estimated 14 total sexual offenses with about 9 male and female victim students."
A reported the incident to the facility, but the facility responded, "The perpetrator is scheduled for trial on April 1 for previous sexual offenses. If this case is added, he will likely be sent to a juvenile detention center." They also said, "Before coming here, he committed sexual offenses at other regional facilities and habitually committed sexual offenses at this facility and school, so we left him alone in the annex to reflect."
Afterward, A hired a lawyer and filed a damages lawsuit against the facility, but lost in the first trial because the lawsuit was filed against the facility itself, not the 'head' of the facility. The petitioner appealed, and the court partially ruled in favor, ordering the facility to pay 5 million won in compensation and A to bear 70% of the litigation costs.
A said, "Although it was a partial victory, after settlement, the actual amount we receive is about 800,000 won, which is practically close to a loss." He questioned, "This incident happened in a house almost adjacent to the in-laws' home, yet my daughter did not receive proper protection from her legal guardian. Does that mean she has to be protected 24 hours a day?"
He expressed frustration, saying, "The facility neglected the perpetrator child, causing the incident, but the officials have not been punished at all and continue to operate without guilt while receiving local government subsidies and various donations."
Finally, he appealed, "My daughter may have to live with emotional pain for her entire life. The court is also a secondary perpetrator. Despite clear facts of perpetration and victimization, the judgment was superficial." He pleaded, "Please punish the facility and close it to prevent further victims from occurring."
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