26 Domestic Violence Counseling Centers Nationwide Expanded into 'Integrated Counseling Centers'

Ministry of Gender Equality Expands to 54 Locations Nationwide
Support Extended to Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Dating Violence
Medical Expense Support Raised to 5 Million Won

Twenty-six domestic violence counseling centers nationwide will be expanded and reorganized into 'integrated counseling centers' that can support victims of not only domestic violence but also sexual violence, stalking, and dating violence.

On the 5th, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced that some domestic violence counseling centers established at the city, county, and district levels will be reorganized in this way to expand the number of integrated counseling centers to 54 nationwide. The integrated counseling centers provide support for counseling victims of domestic violence as well as sexual violence, linking them to medical institutions or victim protection facilities, and legal aid services.

The 26 new integrated counseling centers were selected mainly in areas without sexual violence counseling centers or integrated counseling centers. Two to three additional staff members qualified in sexual violence counseling will be assigned to each center.

The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will also expand support for the recovery and independence of victims of violence such as domestic violence. A new independence support fund of 2.5 million KRW per child will be provided for children accompanying those who have left domestic violence victim protection facilities, and the residency period in housing support facilities (utilizing LH rental housing) will be extended from the current 4 years to a maximum of 6 years.

Additionally, clear guidelines will be established to allow medical expense support for victims of dating violence, and the medical expense support limit for victims of domestic violence and stalking will be raised by 2 million KRW from last year to 5 million KRW. The legal aid support limit will also increase from 5 million KRW last year to 6 million KRW this year.

Kim Hyun-sook, Minister of Gender Equality and Family, stated, "We expect that the expansion of integrated counseling centers will improve service accessibility for victims of violence such as domestic violence, sexual violence, and stalking."

Shin Bo-ra, President of the Korea Women's Human Rights Institute, said, "Through education and consulting for integrated counseling center staff and strengthening the capacity of field institutions, we will solidify integrated support for new types of crimes and complex damages, ensuring that high-quality services are provided to victims anywhere nationwide."