Police to Revise Domestic Violence Investigation Manual... "Victim Protection First"

Last Year, 225,609 Reports Received
Only 542 Arrest Warrants Requested
Decided to Improve Due to Criticism of Passive Response

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Jo] The police will improve related investigation manuals to prioritize victim protection in domestic violence cases. This measure comes in response to criticism that the police have been passive in the field due to concerns over protecting the rights of perpetrators.

According to a compilation of Asia Economy reports on the 23rd, the National Police Agency recently decided to strengthen the response system to eradicate domestic violence. The aim is to reflect the unique characteristics of domestic violence cases to prevent secondary incidents such as violent crimes caused by inadequate on-site measures.

The improved manual is expected to present investigation standards that prioritize victim protection over the rights of perpetrators. First, the criteria for isolating perpetrators will be specified so that on-site officers can actively enforce measures such as eviction from the residence, arresting perpetrators in flagrante delicto, and further applying for emergency temporary measures or arrest warrants. Additionally, methods for preparing investigation documents will be considered to sufficiently explain the perpetrator’s risk when applying for warrants and to prosecutors and courts in the future.

Seodaemun-gu, Seoul Police Agency building. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

According to the National Police Agency, there were 225,609 domestic violence-related 112 emergency calls last year. This means that 18,800 cases per month and 618 cases per day of domestic violence are reported to the police. Among these, only 4,999 emergency temporary measures were applied for by the police. Applications for arrest warrants were only 542 cases. Despite the high possibility of retaliation or recidivism in domestic violence, the police’s passive response has been analyzed inside and outside the agency as having increased repeat offenses.

A National Police Agency official explained, "In the past, judicial directions continuously emphasized human rights protection, so on-site officers had no choice but to enforce coercive measures very passively." He added, "Now, the social atmosphere has changed to prioritize prevention of harm to victims, so the police are trying to improve investigation manuals accordingly." The official also said, "Although emergency measures or arrest warrant applications are ultimately decided by the courts through the prosecution, the police intend to take as many measures as possible at the police stage."

However, there are criticisms that these improvements to the investigation manual have limitations. Even if isolation measures are taken on-site, the police have no way to know in real time whether the domestic violence perpetrator is approaching the victim. In October last year, in Seosan, Chungnam, a wife who had suffered domestic violence and even reported it to the police, and had a protection order issued, was killed by her husband in broad daylight on the street. At that time, the husband unexpectedly visited the store run by his wife and committed the crime, and the police could not prevent the harm.

A National Police Agency official said, "The legal system and framework for domestic violence crimes are still insufficient," adding, "Real-time monitoring of perpetrators is not something that can be supplemented by improving investigation manuals, but ultimately must be resolved through institutional and legal reforms."