The 39th Nationwide 'Seoul Bukbu Sunflower Center' Opens... Operated by Seoul Medical Center

Opened on March 21... Installed on the 1st floor of Sinnae Medical Safety Housing

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will open the Seoul Northern Sunflower Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul on the 21st to support victims of sexual violence.

The Seoul Northern Sunflower Center is operated by Seoul Medical Center and is located on the first floor of the Sinnae Medical Safety Housing, directly opposite (within a 1-minute walk) Seoul Medical Center.

The 194㎡ space includes counseling rooms, medical examination rooms, waiting rooms, victim stabilization rooms, and statement recording rooms. Professional staff such as counselors, nurses, and female police officers provide comprehensive services to victims.

The Sunflower Center is an institution where the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, local governments, medical institutions, and the National Police Agency cooperate to provide counseling, medical, legal, and investigative support to victims of sexual and domestic violence. Including the newly opened Seoul Northern Center, 39 centers are operating nationwide.

The Sunflower Center operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing integrated services to victims, and through child-type centers, it supports specialized psychological evaluation and treatment for child and adolescent victims.

Despite the difficulties in face-to-face activities due to COVID-19 last year, the Sunflower Center supported 27,434 victims, an increase of about 15% compared to 2020. It provided a total of 418,032 services, including 129,199 counseling supports and 106,742 medical supports.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family plans to expand the Sunflower Centers to support female violence victims and will continue to increase budget and personnel support for the stable and sustainable operation of the centers.

Kim Kyung-sun, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, stated, "With the opening of the Seoul Northern Sunflower Center, we hope to provide prompt and professional services to sexual violence victims in the northeastern region of Seoul. We will strengthen customized services for victims, including children and adolescents, so that sexual violence victims can overcome their wounds and return to daily life early, and we will provide sufficient necessary support so that victims can receive services in a more stable environment."