Family Assaults Female Middle School Student in the Heart of Gangnam... Father Detained in Jail

Female Middle School Student States She Does Not Want Family Punishment or Separation Measures

An incident occurred in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul, where a female middle school student was collectively assaulted by her parents and older brother. The father has been detained in a detention center, and the mother and older brother have been separated from the victim, but it is reported that the victim stated to the police that she does not want punishment or separation measures against her family.

On the 22nd, the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul announced that the parents of female middle school student A were booked on charges of violating the Child Abuse Punishment Act (physical abuse), and A's minor older brother was booked on charges of violating the Domestic Violence Punishment Act (assault).

They are accused of assaulting A for about 20 minutes in front of an apartment complex in Gangnam, Seoul, around midnight on the 15th. When A ran out barefoot, the father chased her, knocked her down, and struck her abdomen. Then the mother and older brother joined in and assaulted A. The family reportedly stated during the police investigation that "A refused hospital treatment, so we administered corporal punishment."

The victim student is currently being protected at a shelter for abused children and is separated from her family. The police issued temporary measures under the Child Abuse Punishment Act to the parents, including measures 1 to 3 (eviction and prohibition of approach) and measure 5 (consultation with a specialized agency). The older brother received temporary measures 1 to 3 under the Domestic Violence Punishment Act. In the case of the father, the highest measure, number 7, was also applied, and he was detained at the Seoul Eastern Detention Center. Measure 7 allows for detaining the perpetrator in a detention center or jail for up to two months.

However, A expressed to the police and Gangnam District Office that she does not want punishment or separation measures against her family. In such cases, only punishment of the child abuse perpetrator is possible, but the victim’s return home cannot be prevented. A police official said, "We are currently investigating whether A has been subjected to domestic violence by her family in the past."