Pohang City, 'More Thoroughly, More Quickly' Searching for Blind Spots in Child Abuse!

Formation of a Child Abuse Response Information Coordination Committee

Information Sharing and Joint Response for High-Risk Children in Crisis

‘e-Child Happiness Support Project’, Prevention and Reporting Promotion

Amid recent consecutive child abuse death incidents in Incheon, which have added to the sorrow, Pohang City has begun reexamining its child abuse response system.

According to Pohang City, there were 556 suspected child abuse cases reported in Pohang last year, of which about 80%?438 cases?were confirmed as abuse.

Although this number is about 100 cases fewer than in 2021, when Pohang City officially began investigating child abuse, it still indicates that child abuse remains a significant issue in the region.

Child Abuse Prevention Promotional Material.

Following the amendment and enforcement of the Child Welfare Act in October 2020, which transferred responsibilities for receiving reports, investigations, and protective measures for abused children to local governments, Pohang City proactively established a Child Protection Team in July of the same year, before the law took effect, to preemptively organize the system and actively carry out related duties.

Currently, the city has assigned nine dedicated child abuse public officials and six child protection specialists to promptly respond to investigations and protective measures when child abuse occurs. To facilitate smooth operations, the city has equipped itself with a dedicated child abuse reporting hotline, child counseling rooms, vehicles exclusively for abuse investigations, dedicated mobile phones, and recording systems.

In light of the recent serious child abuse case in Incheon, Pohang City is once again reviewing its child abuse response system, striving to identify high-risk children left in blind spots, and intensifying promotional campaigns for child abuse prevention.

On February 9, Pohang City held a meeting of the Child Abuse Response Information Coordination Committee, composed of representatives from Pohang City, the Northern and Southern Police Stations, Pohang Office of Education, Gyeongbuk Eastern Child Protection Agency, Gyeongbuk Eastern Sunflower Center, and the Youth Counseling and Welfare Center. They shared a consensus on the importance of proactive early response and collaboration in child abuse cases and agreed to strengthen information sharing and joint responses for high-risk children in crisis.

On the 14th, a roundtable was held with the heads of five group home facilities responsible for the protection, care, and treatment of abused children to listen to their difficulties and reaffirm the commitment to meticulous protection and care tailored to the characteristics of the abused children.

On the 15th, a meeting was held with the Gyeongbuk Eastern Child Protection Agency to share the updated child abuse response guidelines for this year. Through discussions focused on case management prioritizing the best interests of the child, additional detailed measures beyond the guidelines were developed.

Pohang City Child Protection Team - Gyeongbuk Eastern Child Protection Agency Child Abuse Response Meeting (February 15).

Additionally, for 30 high-risk families with complex issues and repeated abuse, customized home visit services will be provided through the Gyeongbuk Eastern Child Protection Agency to restore family functions and prevent re-abuse.

The city plans to strengthen the ‘e-Child Happiness Support Project,’ conducted quarterly to detect children in crisis, by enhancing repeated inspections, home visits, linkage to welfare services when necessary, and joint inspections with the police upon detection of risk signs.

Starting in March, the city will distribute ‘Positive Parenting Promotional Materials’ produced by the Child Abuse Information Coordination Committee to parents of new elementary school students. It will also produce child abuse prevention and reporting guidebooks for mandatory reporters such as school teachers, conduct public child abuse prevention campaigns, and hold parenting education sessions featuring prominent figures, among other multifaceted promotional activities.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok stated, “Preventing child abuse requires active interest, reasonable suspicion, and courageous reporting from those close to the children. We will build a more detailed and robust safety net to protect children, who are the future generation’s protagonists.”