Gyeongnam Police Provide 10 Hours of Daily Protection for Victims of Stalking and Other Crimes

Protection Provided by Two Security Guards from a Private Security Company

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency is joining forces with the Gyeongnam Autonomous Police Committee to carry out a private security support project for victims of high-risk crimes against women, such as excessive approach behavior (stalking), until the end of this year.

On the 2nd, the provincial police agency announced that it will entrust private security guards with the personal protection of victims at very high risk among victims of high-risk crimes such as stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence.

They explained that this initiative is being promoted considering that relationship-based crimes like stalking tend to escalate into violent crimes, but protective measures for victims are insufficient.

Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

If the risk assessment checklist for victims of relationship-based crimes scores above a certain threshold and the chief of the relevant police station deems security necessary, the provincial police agency will initiate private security protection.

Selected individuals can receive protection from two private security guards belonging to a private security company contracted by the Gyeongnam Autonomous Police Committee for 10 hours a day at their preferred times.

The protection period is three days but can be extended up to 15 days if necessary.

According to the provincial police agency, from June 29 to December 31 last year, a total of 18 people, including 16 stalking victims and 2 dating violence victims, received private security protection.

This year, since the private security service began on March 26, two cases of protection for victims of domestic violence and dating violence are currently underway.

A representative of the provincial police agency stated, “The private security service for high-risk crime victims is a Gyeongnam-type specialized support that complements the limitations of police resources,” adding, “We expect it will significantly strengthen victim protection.”