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Nowon-gu (District Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it is implementing a variety of support programs to protect women who are exposed to various forms of violence, including domestic violence and sexual violence.
The central institution is the Wolgye Woori Integrated Counseling Center, located at the Wolgye General Social Welfare Center. The counseling center is expanding its scope of activities to respond to the various forms of violence that are spreading in society, such as domestic violence, sexual violence, stalking, dating violence, and digital sex crimes, in line with social changes.
The counseling center provides counseling support, medical and legal assistance, emergency protection and ongoing case management, as well as violence prevention activities.
Counseling is offered in a variety of formats, including individual, couple, group, and media-based counseling. Last year, the center conducted 5,455 counseling sessions. To help victims recover, the center provides medical support, free legal counseling, and legal aid referral services, which include accompanying victims during investigations and monitoring trials. If necessary, the center also connects victims to emergency shelters to prevent further harm and support rapid recovery.
Since its opening in 2006, the counseling center recorded 312 new cases and conducted 575 violence prevention education sessions last year. From 2023 to the present, it has served as the representative institution for the Seoul region in the National Association of Domestic Violence Counseling Centers, leading nationwide solidarity activities. Since last year, it has also served as the representative for the Seoul Women's Violence Victim Facilities Association.
The counseling center is open to anyone who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or dating violence, as well as their acquaintances. Counseling is provided free of charge and can be requested by phone, in person, or online, but advance reservations are required.
This year, with support from the district's Gender Equality Fund, the "Couple School: We Are Equal Partners" program will be launched. After recruiting participants, the program will officially begin in June and is designed to help couples who have experienced domestic violence break the cycle of violence and restore family relationships. The program is structured to include outings and cultural leisure activities after participants gain a better understanding of interaction and communication.
District Mayor Oh Seung-rok stated, "As the forms of violence become more diverse, our response capabilities must be strengthened from prevention to recovery support," adding, "We will spare no effort to provide the necessary support through the Wolgye Woori Integrated Counseling Center so that victims of violence do not become isolated."
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