Gyeonggi-do Opens Two Nationwide First Shelters for Abused Disabled Children

Gyeonggi Provincial Government Gwanggyo New Office Building

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province opened two exclusive shelters for abused disabled children in Ansan on the 6th, the first of its kind nationwide. As a result, abused children can now receive specialized protection in dedicated shelters instead of facilities where disabled children were previously protected together with disabled adults.

The exclusive shelters for abused disabled children were established following the revision of the 'Welfare of Disabled Persons Act' in July 2021.

In April last year, Gyeonggi Province was selected along with Seoul and Busan in a project announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish shelters for abused disabled children.

In November last year, the province signed a business agreement with Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) to establish shelters for abused disabled children in Gyeonggi Province and rented public housing in Ansan to create the shelters.

Within the same building, separate floors were designated for boys and girls, with one shelter each for male and female children.

The shelters are equipped with facilities necessary for disabled children’s residence, such as living rooms, counseling rooms, and restrooms, in buildings with a total floor area of over 100㎡, in accordance with the Disabled Welfare Act regulations.

The province invested 418 million KRW from national and provincial funds to cover the deposit for the rental housing, interior remodeling, and to provide furniture and electronic devices for shelter operation, creating an environment where disabled children can receive treatment and live comfortably.

The shelters can provide emergency protection for disabled children under the age of 18 who have suffered abuse.

The capacity is four boys and four girls respectively. When institutions advocating for disabled rights or local governments recognize abuse or other harm and request admission, children can stay for up to nine months.

The province expects that the opening of the shelters will enable professional protection and management tailored to the characteristics of disabled children.

Through the shelters, customized professional services will be provided, including protection and accommodation for abused disabled children, educational support such as academic and daily life training, counseling to improve psychological conditions, and medical support for physical and mental treatment.

To admit an abused disabled child to the shelter, inquiries can be made to the child abuse department of the city or county, the Gyeonggi Province Disabled Rights Advocacy Agency (1644-8295), or by calling 112.

There are two Disabled Rights Advocacy Agencies in the province, located in Suwon and Uijeongbu. It is also possible to visit in person for consultation. Currently, there are two shelters for disabled victims of human rights violations such as violence and abuse in the province, located in Suwon and Pocheon. Each shelter has a capacity of eight people, totaling 16.

Kim Neung-sik, Director of the Welfare Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, said, "Abused disabled children were previously in a blind spot due to a lack of facilities, but with the opening of exclusive shelters, appropriate protection conditions for disabled children are expected to be established." He added, "We will continue to promote various policies to protect disabled children and strive to eradicate abuse of disabled children."