Gangnam-gu, Daechi-dong Academy District Joint Campaign to Prevent Digital Sex Crimes

April 12, 4-6 PM: Over 50 Civil, Public, and Police Officials Inspect 76 Illegal Recording Devices in Large Academy Restrooms and Conduct Street Campaign

Gangnam-gu (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) will conduct a joint public-private-police campaign and inspection of illegal filming devices on the afternoon of the 12th from 4 to 6 PM around the Daechi-dong academy district to eradicate the four major types of violence (sexual harassment, sexual violence, prostitution, and domestic violence) and digital sex crimes.

According to the "Digital Sex Crime Victim Support Report" published on the 2nd by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and the Korea Women's Human Rights Institute, approximately 250,000 digital sex crime victim videos were deleted last year. This amounts to 672 cases per day and is on an increasing trend annually, with more than 7 out of 10 victims being teenagers and people in their twenties. The district is promoting this campaign and joint inspection to raise awareness among women and youth about digital sex crimes and secondary victimization and to alleviate anxiety about illegal filming.

The campaign involves over 50 participants including Gangnam-gu, Suseo Police Station, the Illegal Filming Citizen Surveillance Group, and the Daechi-dong Academy Association. They will inspect 76 restrooms in two large academies frequently used by students for illegal filming devices and distribute promotional materials about women's safety policies in front of exits 1 and 7 of Daechi Station. After the inspection, they will conduct a street campaign holding placards and promotional materials around the Daechi-dong academy area (Daechi Station~Samseong-ro~Eunma Apartment Intersection~Dogok-ro~Daechi Station, 1.2 km).

The district operates the Illegal Filming Citizen Surveillance Group to inspect public and private restrooms in major subway stations and nearby buildings with high foot traffic twice a month. Additionally, the community centers lend illegal filming inspection devices free of charge to residents and owners/managers of multi-use facilities. Last year, safety mirrors were installed on escalators and stairs at 64 locations in 9 stations, including Gangnam Station and Seonjeongneung Station, where illegal filming concerns are high, to prevent illegal filming.

Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, "We will conduct proactive special inspections and campaigns targeting public facilities frequently used by vulnerable groups in their teens and twenties against digital sex crimes," and added, "We will continue to actively cooperate with related organizations such as the police to reduce residents' anxiety and create a safe living environment."