Yeongdeungpo-gu Actively Protects Public Officials from Malicious Complaints

Comprehensive Safety Support Measures for Social Welfare Officials and Visiting Nurses at the End of August
Installation of Emergency Bells and Transparent Barriers, Distribution of Wearable Cameras, Simulation Training for Handling Special Complaints
Preventing Safety Accidents by Blocking Risks Such as Verbal Abuse and Assault and Strengthening Emergency Response

Wearable Device Wearing

Yeongdeungpo-gu (District Mayor Choi Ho-kwon) has rolled up its sleeves to create a safe working environment for public officials in charge of visiting welfare services.

Recently, verbal abuse, assault, weapon threats, and murder threats against civil servants handling civil complaints have surged, exposing them to unexpected dangers and sudden situations.

In particular, when welfare benefits are reduced or deemed inappropriate or suspended in basic livelihood support cases, malicious complaints have sharply increased, with welfare officials repeatedly subjected to verbal abuse or threatened with suicide. Consequently, calls to protect public officials from malicious complainants are growing louder.

At the end of August, the district established a comprehensive safety support plan to ensure a safe working environment for social welfare officials, visiting nurses, integrated case managers, and child abuse investigators.

To preemptively block risk factors and strengthen response systems during emergencies, the plan focuses on ▲ appointing a safety management supervisor and responsible personnel ▲ building collaborative systems with police stations and mental health welfare centers ▲ enforcing manuals such as two-person teams for visits and enhancing monitoring ▲ strengthening safety measures including deployment of security guards, installation of emergency bells and transparent partitions, and distribution of wearable cameras ▲ training for handling special complaints and conducting simulations to prevent malicious complaints ▲ supporting vaccinations for hepatitis A, influenza, etc. ▲ providing visiting supplies such as disposable slippers and safety shoe covers ▲ operating professional psychological counseling programs ▲ supporting group insurance covering medical and surgery expenses.

Notably, in March this year, the district distributed 28 wearable cameras?10 to the district office civil complaint departments and 18 to community service centers?to prevent malicious complaints in advance and secure evidence afterward. The wearable camera is a portable video recording device in the form of a necklace with audio and video recording functions. It records incidents such as verbal abuse and assault during consultations with complainants in CCTV blind spots, thereby protecting the responsible public officials.

The district will conduct safety manual training for about 200 visiting welfare service staff. Visiting officials will familiarize themselves with detailed visit-related manuals, including pre-checking checklists, sharing home visit schedules, and accompanying high-risk groups linked to specialized institutions, to effectively prevent safety accidents.

Additionally, joint simulation training for handling special complaints will be conducted by district office staff and police. By reenacting malicious complaint cases and simulating the entire process from 112 emergency calls to follow-up actions, they will thoroughly prepare for emergency situations.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, said, “I sincerely thank the public officials who dedicate themselves closest to the residents to improve their welfare. We will actively respond to malicious complaints such as verbal abuse and assault to create a safe working environment for public officials and build a stronger protective shield for our residents.”