[Exclusive] 6,578 Child Abuse Reports to 112 in Q1... Sharp Rise in Emotional Abuse [Child Abuse SOS] ③

Emotional Abuse Up 5.1 Times in Five Years
Experts Stress the Need for "Parental Education"

Reports of child abuse to the 112 emergency hotline have been increasing every year, with 6,578 cases reported in the first quarter of this year alone. This amounts to an average of 73 reports per day. A notable change is that, while physical abuse was more common in the past, emotional abuse is now rising sharply.

According to police data on "the number of child abuse reports and arrests over the past five years," obtained by Asia Economy through a public information request on May 29, a total of 6,578 reports were made to the 112 hotline between January and March this year, with 2,861 arrests recorded during the same period.

By year, the number of 112 reports and arrests were as follows: 16,149 reports and 5,551 arrests in 2020; 26,048 reports and 11,572 arrests in 2021; 25,383 reports and 11,970 arrests in 2022; 28,292 reports and 13,015 arrests in 2023; and 29,735 reports and 12,786 arrests in 2024. The number of child deaths due to abuse was 43 in 2020, 40 in 2021, 50 in 2022, and 44 in 2023. These figures include deaths from abuse resulting in death, murder, and similar causes.

Regarding the outcomes of 112 reports, about 75% were either transferred for further action or closed at the scene. In the first quarter of this year, there were 3,565 cases transferred, 1,351 cases closed at the scene, 1,178 cases closed without dispatch, 272 cases found to be false or mistaken, 207 cases resulting in arrest, 3 cases classified as other, and 2 cases closed during dispatch. "Transfer" means that after an initial investigation by local police, the case was handed over to an investigative team, an Abuse Prevention Officer (APO), or a local government agency.

"Closure at the scene" refers to cases where officers respond and determine the matter to be minor, thus closing the case on site. A police official explained, "Transfer is often marked in somewhat ambiguous cases," adding, "Even when a case is closed at the scene, the APO or the victim protection team will check it again, so there is not much difference."

Looking at the main types of child abuse, physical abuse has been the most common, but emotional abuse is rapidly increasing. Emotional abuse refers to acts such as verbal insults or emotional threats by adults toward children, and also includes situations where children are exposed to parental conflict. Last year, there were 7,258 cases of physical abuse, 3,366 cases of emotional abuse, 852 cases of neglect or abandonment, 813 cases of multiple types of abuse, 374 cases of sexual abuse, 105 other cases, 11 cases resulting in death, and 7 cases of murder, based on cases referred for prosecution. Emotional abuse increased 5.1 times compared to 653 cases in 2020.

On January 17 of this year, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced a defendant charged with violating the Child Welfare Act (child abuse) to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. On January 24, the Gwangju District Court sentenced another defendant to one year and four months in prison, suspended for four years. In the first case, the defendant verbally abused his wife in front of their nine-year-old daughter, shouting, "Don't tell me what to do," among other insults.

In the second case, the biological father, after arguing with his wife, believed their 17-year-old son was taking his mother's side and repeatedly struck the bedroom door with a blunt object about 30 centimeters long, damaging it. Both courts determined that these acts constituted emotional abuse that harmed the mental health and development of the child victims.

Experts emphasize the need for "parental education." Koo Jungwoo, a professor of sociology at Sungkyunkwan University, stated, "Recently, more adults are becoming psychologically vulnerable and are neglecting their responsibilities as parents," adding, "Simply increasing punishment for offenders is not enough. Education is needed to raise awareness among parents that they, too, could become perpetrators of child abuse."

Kim Kihyun, a professor of social welfare at Sungkyunkwan University, said, "Understanding the child victims is important, but preventing abuse requires considering both the main perpetrators?parents?and the home environment," adding, "In addition to simple child protection measures, improvements should be sought through parental education."

※ The Civil Act has been amended so that even parents have no right to physically discipline children. Anyone who inflicts physical, emotional, or sexual abuse on a child can be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison or face other penalties. If you suspect child abuse, report it to 112. If you have difficulties with child care or support, consult 129 (Health and Welfare Counseling Center).