Protection and Support Council for Crime Victims Expanded from 'Child Abuse' to 'All Crimes'

From now on, prosecutors will be able to hold case management meetings not only for child abuse but also to discuss protection and support measures for victims of all types of crimes.

On the 4th, the Ministry of Justice announced that the partial amendment to the "Enforcement Decree of the Crime Victim Protection Act" containing this provision has passed the Cabinet meeting. Previously, case management meetings could only be held for child abuse cases, but with the implementation of this amendment, meetings can be held for any case requiring victim protection and support, regardless of the crime.

Case management meetings include members such as public officials in charge of victim support at the prosecution office, judicial police officers, social welfare officials, employees of crime victim support organizations, doctors, and lawyers. To protect and support crime victims, they discuss measures such as ▲economic support including crime victim relief funds and medical expenses ▲legal support such as appointment of public defenders for victims ▲residential support and personal protection ▲and other welfare service support.

A Ministry of Justice official stated, "With the enforcement of the amendment, cases of protection and support gaps caused by lack of guidance and connection will be resolved, and crime victims are expected to receive the necessary protection and support sufficiently." He added, "We hope for the prompt return of crime victims to their daily lives and will continue to strive for the development of policies for the protection and support of crime victims."