Operation of Human Rights Protection Officer to Eradicate Abuse in Child Welfare Facilities in Yeongdeungpo-gu

[Seoul District News] Yeongdeungpo-gu Appoints One Human Rights Protector Each to Four Child Protection Treatment Facilities and Group Homes, Conducts Bi-Monthly Visits to Hear Concerns from Children and Staff and Inspect Facilities

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Yeongdeungpo-gu (Mayor Chae Hyun-il) is operating human rights protectors at child welfare facilities in the area to prevent child rights violations and enhance transparency in facility operations.

Child abuse cases continue unabated. According to statistical data, the number of cases has been increasing annually, and incidents occurring in child welfare facilities also nearly doubled from 331 cases in 2015 to 605 cases in 2020 over five years.

In particular, child residential facilities such as "protective treatment facilities" and "group homes," where children under protective disposition No. 6 reside, require more careful attention as the children live apart from their parents.

Currently, there are a total of four such child residential facilities in the area, caring for about 80 children. Accordingly, the district is strengthening the public role in child protection and has launched human rights protectors at child residential facilities to prevent child rights violations and ensure prompt resolution, aiming to eradicate abuse.

The human rights protectors consist of one child abuse-dedicated police officer from Yeongdeungpo Police Station, two specialists from child protection agencies, and one Yeongdeungpo-gu Office official, with one assigned to each facility, totaling four.

The protectors plan to visit and inspect each facility at least twice a month, with one visit scheduled during vulnerable hours after 10 p.m. The district intends to increase inspection efficiency by matching one child abuse-dedicated public official with one protector per facility on a 1:1 basis.

The inspection targets include overall facility operations such as child protection status, staff working conditions, operation of child protection programs, facility safety, and meal services. They will also listen to concerns from children and staff.

In particular, the protectors will be appointed as ex officio members of the facility’s operation committee, enabling active improvements based on inspection results.

Meanwhile, the district obtained UNICEF Child-Friendly City certification in December last year and is progressively implementing five goals and 46 detailed projects to expand the child-friendly environment in the region by 2025: ▲Respect for children's rights ▲Activation of child participation ▲Prioritization of child safety ▲Provision of satisfactory child services ▲Guarantee of children's right to play.

Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Chae Hyun-il stated, “All children have the right to grow up with respect and protection from adults,” and added, “We will do our best to make Yeongdeungpo-gu a happy place for children.”