'Increasing Child Abuse' Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee Provides 'Medical Supplies' to Abused Children

Immediate Payment to Abused Children Upon Hospitalization and Treatment for Medical and Psychological Recovery Support

Infant Kit

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee announced on the 26th that it will support medical and necessary supplies to help restore the daily lives of abused children and assist in their psychological stability. This measure comes in response to the increasing number of reported child abuse cases, highlighting the growing need for treatment and support for abused children.

According to Seoul City, reports of child abuse increased from 2,626 cases in 2020 to 4,236 cases last year, with 1,139 cases reported up to April this year. The committee, in cooperation with the Seoul City Family Affairs Office, will immediately provide medical and necessary supply packages to abused children when a dedicated child abuse public official requests them from the committee upon the occurrence of abused children requiring hospital treatment.

The medical and necessary supply packages consist of a total of 36 items, including backpacks, first aid kits, and daily essentials, based on demand surveys conducted with child abuse specialized medical institutions and autonomous districts. The recipients are categorized by age groups: infants, young children, and adolescents.

The detailed items by age group are as follows: for infants ? baby bottles, pacifiers, swaddling blankets, diapers, and focus books; for young children ? toiletries, bibs, baby food storage containers, and children's traffic safety sticker books; for adolescents ? underwear, clothing, sanitary pads, socks, and more. The supplies were prepared through the “Seoul Metropolitan Disabled Products Sales Facility,” a social welfare institution supporting the independence of people with disabilities.

Kim Hak-bae, Chairman of the Seoul Metropolitan Autonomous Police Committee, stated, “We will do our best to solve the child abuse problem and eradicate child abuse through proactive prevention,” adding, “We will continuously cooperate with related organizations such as Seoul City and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to create a comfortable and safe Seoul for all children.”