Police Investigate Suspected Abuse of Over 10 Children at Changwon Welfare Center for the Disabled

Changwon City Announces Possible Administrative Action Depending on Investigation Results

The police have launched an investigation after a complaint was filed alleging that a therapist at a comprehensive welfare center for the disabled, which is being operated under consignment by Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, physically abused children.

The Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency announced on the 23rd that a woman in her 30s, identified as A, has been booked without detention on suspicion of child abuse.

According to the police, A is suspected of assaulting about 10 children attending the Changwon Comprehensive Welfare Center for the Disabled between January and March.

The abuse was not easily detected because therapy sessions were conducted one-on-one and the windows were covered with opaque stickers. However, suspicions of abuse were raised when a parent heard sounds of violence from outside the therapy room and checked the closed-circuit (CC) TV footage inside the center.

A was found to have committed acts of abuse such as grabbing a child by the collar, shouting, and neglecting the children.

Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.
Photo by Lee Seryeong

The police believe that all the victimized children have developmental disabilities, making communication difficult, and thus they were unable to properly inform their parents or others about the abuse.

There are 19 children currently receiving therapy sessions from A at the welfare center, including 11 boys and 8 girls.

The police are investigating based on the contents of the complaint filed by the parents, which alleges that A hit the back of a child's hand during sessions and neglected the children while only using the computer, as well as by reviewing CCTV footage.

A has reportedly been visiting the center for classes since 2011, and after the incident came to light, the welfare center terminated A's contract.

Changwon City has conducted an emergency inspection of the welfare center and plans to take administrative action based on the results of the investigation.