Entrusted with Treatment, but Faced Assault and Abuse... Changwon Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities Demand Sensory Therapist's Arrest and Investigation

The Gyeongsangnam-do Parents' Solidarity for the Disabled has called for the arrest and investigation of a sensory therapist who was booked without detention on charges of child abuse and neglect against children with disabilities.

On the 10th, the Parents' Solidarity and parents of the affected children held a press conference in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency and made this demand.

Parents of children with developmental disabilities who are victims of abuse are speaking at a press conference held in front of the Gyeongnam Provincial Police Agency.
[Photo by Lee Seryeong]

According to the police, a female sensory therapist in her 30s, identified as Ms. A, is suspected of abusing more than 10 children with developmental disabilities attending a welfare center for the disabled in Changwon City, including acts of assault, from January to March of this year.

Because therapy sessions were conducted one-on-one and the windows were covered with opaque stickers, Ms. A's crimes were not easily revealed. However, suspicions of abuse surfaced when a parent, who heard sounds resembling hitting from outside the therapy room, checked the welfare center's closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage.

Ms. A had visited the center for classes since 2011, and after the incident came to light, it was reported that the welfare center terminated its contract with her.

Last month, three parents of affected children filed complaints stating that Ms. A struck their children's hands and faces and did not properly conduct the sessions.

The parents said, "Parents who entrusted their children to a violent teacher for years are now suffering from feelings of guilt, believing they put their children through hell," and added, "We do not know whom to trust or where to turn for our children's rehabilitation."

They continued, "Even just watching the footage of neglect is heartbreaking, but the videos showing emotional and physical abuse are indescribably devastating," and added, "It was so unbelievable to see our child being beaten to the point of staggering that we watched the footage repeatedly."

They also said, "While the children and parents are suffering from shock and pain, Ms. A posted photos from an overseas trip on her personal blog, causing further distress," and emphasized, "Ms. A, who shows no sign of remorse, must be arrested."

They went on to say, "Developmental rehabilitation therapists who repeatedly abuse young children with disabilities, who cannot properly express their grievances, should not exist in the welfare sector," and requested, "Arrest Ms. A immediately, thoroughly investigate the truth, and impose the highest possible punishment."

They called on Changwon City to immediately investigate the abuse and establish measures to prevent recurrence.

They also demanded that the welfare center provide psychological support services for the affected children, conduct quarterly human rights and developmental disability awareness training for all staff, and make a public apology to the children, parents, and welfare center users.

Parents of abused children and others are submitting a petition to the police urging the arrest and thorough investigation of the sensory therapist.
Photo by Lee Seryoung

After the press conference, the parents submitted a petition to the police calling for a thorough investigation and the arrest of the suspect, signed by 3,380 people, and then visited the welfare center in protest.

The police plan to continue analyzing related video footage and materials, as well as investigating those involved to uncover the truth, while the city plans to impose administrative sanctions on the welfare center depending on the outcome of the investigation.