"Don't Hit Even with Words!"... Yongsan-gu, Child Abuse Prevention Campaign

Yongsan-gu Launches Child Abuse Prevention Campaign... On the 17th, a Public-Private Joint Campaign Held at Yongsan Kkum Namu Complex Town for 'Child Abuse Prevention Day' with Theme 'A Warm Word, A Happy Family'... Exhibition Featuring Drawings of '100 Words That Hurt Children' Also Held

Yongsan-gu, Seoul (Mayor Park Hee-young) conducted a child abuse prevention campaign on the 17th around the Yongsan Dream Tree Complex in collaboration with related organizations to mark 'Child Abuse Prevention Day (November 19)'.

Under the theme "A Warm Word, A Happy Family," the campaign was jointly held by the Yongsan Police Station and the Seoul Jungbu Child Protection Agency, distributing promotional materials for child abuse prevention and proper parenting methods.

The campaign also promoted the abolition of the 'parental disciplinary right' clause in civil law and highlighted that educating children through corporal punishment is wrong.

In particular, the district selected 100 hurtful phrases that wound children and displayed drawings depicting the emotions children felt upon hearing those words. Since the 13th, the exhibition titled "Drawing, 100 Hurtful Words" has been held on the first floor of the Yongsan Dream Tree Complex.

Expressions such as "I can't live because of you!", "I'm doing this for your own good!", "Who on earth did you take after?", "Is this all you can do?", and "You can't do it, don't try!"?words often said in the name of discipline or out of anger?were portrayed to face the hearts of children hurt by such remarks through art.

On the day of the campaign, parents and children shared honest feelings and grew together by participating in activities such as placing empathy stickers and writing impressions on the exhibits.

One participant said, "Words carelessly spoken can hurt a child," and added, "I deeply empathize and will make sure not to 'hit' with words anymore."

'Child abuse' refers to physical, emotional, or sexual violence or cruel acts by adults, including guardians, that harm a child's health or welfare or hinder normal development, as well as abandonment or neglect by the child's guardian.

Accordingly, the district holds various events and promotional activities every year on 'Child Abuse Prevention Day' to promote healthy growth of children and prevent child abuse.

Park Hee-young, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, stated, "We will do our best to ensure children grow up healthily through various efforts to prevent child abuse," and added, "Early detection of abused children is crucial, so I hope everyone will show warm interest and watch over those around them."