Child Abuse Reports Hit Record High... "Abusers Need Combined Education and Counseling"

83.7% of Abusers Are 'Parents'
Experts Urge "Neighbors to Take Interest and Actively Report"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Sehee] The number of child abuse reports last year reached the highest since records began.

According to the "2021 Annual Report on Child Abuse" submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee on the 3rd, the number of child abuse reports last year was 53,932 cases. This is a 27.6% increase compared to the previous year and the highest since 2002.

In this regard, the Ministry of Health and Welfare analyzed, "As interest in child abuse has increased, people around are actively reporting it," and "With schools and kindergartens reopening after being closed due to COVID-19, hidden abuse has been revealed." In fact, reports of abuse by school staff decreased to 3,805 cases the previous year but returned to the average level with 6,065 cases last year.

It was found that 83.7% of all abusers were parents. This is 1.6 percentage points higher than in 2020 (82.1%).

Among the reports, 37,605 cases were judged to be child abuse, an increase of 21.7% from the previous year. Among these, 5,517 cases were confirmed as repeated abuse, and 5,437 cases involved separating and protecting the abused children from their families. The domestic child abuse victim discovery rate is 5.02%. Although this is a 1 percentage point increase from the previous year, it is still lower than advanced countries such as the United States at 8.4% and Australia at 12.4%.

Experts argue that education and counseling treatment for abusers are necessary.

Professor Jung Jaehoon of the Department of Social Welfare at Seoul Women's University said, "As sensitivity to the concept of neglect has increased, behaviors that were not previously considered neglect may now be classified as neglectful abuse," adding, "Neglect requires more careful attention than typical physical child abuse. Besides mandatory reporters, neighbors and the community should maintain careful and continuous interest to enhance prevention effects."

Professor Jung Ikjung of the Department of Social Welfare at Ewha Womans University said, "It is desirable to fulfill parenting responsibilities considering not only the child's age but also developmental level and maturity," and added, "There is a need for clear awareness improvement regarding child abuse. Based on the Child Special Act, punishment should be followed by opportunities for education and counseling treatment in the future."