Gwangju Nam-gu Operates Integrated Counseling Center for Violence Against Women and Digital Sex Crimes

Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, will operate the 'Integrated Counseling Center for Women Victims of Violence' and the 'Specialized Integrated Counseling Center for Digital Sex Crimes' starting next year to support victims of stalking, dating violence, and digital sex crimes.

On the 19th, Nam-gu announced, "Two projects were selected for the 2024 national government-funded operation of the Integrated Counseling Center for Women Victims of Violence and the 2024 national government-funded operation of the Specialized Integrated Counseling Center for Digital Sex Crimes, both organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family," adding, "About 300 million KRW from national and city funds will be invested next year to provide various support services for victims."

The nationally supported Integrated Counseling Center for Women Victims of Violence and the Specialized Integrated Counseling Center for Digital Sex Crimes will be established within the Gwangju YWCA Family Counseling Center located in Yangnim-dong.

Nam-gu has decided to support 304 million KRW in personnel and operating expenses for hiring specialized sexual violence counseling staff and providing various programs and services to operate the integrated counseling centers.

Both integrated counseling centers will be operated at the Gwangju YWCA Family Counseling Center, which is currently in the process of recruiting new staff to work at the centers.

Once the new staff are hired, the integrated counseling centers will have one general manager and five specialized counselors who will provide various services to help women who have suffered from various forms of violence maintain a stable life after the crime.

In particular, the Gwangju YWCA Family Counseling Center will run year-round treatment and recovery programs through the operation of the integrated counseling centers to help victims escape emotional and physical violence and regain psychological stability.

Additionally, to provide legal support for victims, a dedicated lawyer will be assigned within the counseling centers to offer legal consultations every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and assist with the preparation of victim counseling verification documents for legal aid.

Furthermore, to ensure victims’ mental and physical stability and facilitate their swift return to society, the centers will provide lodging and tailored services in connection with protective facilities.

A Nam-gu official stated, "We will do our best to promptly provide customized services for various crimes such as stalking, dating violence, and digital sex crimes to aid victims’ recovery, and strengthen responses to new types of crimes to create a safer society."