5 Million Won "New Start Encouragement Grant"
for Victims Leaving Protective Facilities in Gwangju
On July 3, Gwangju City announced that it will provide a "New Start Encouragement Grant" of 5 million won per person to victims of sexual violence who have lived in a protective facility for more than four months and have subsequently left the facility, in order to support their independence.
The "New Start Encouragement Grant" is an independent support policy of Gwangju City for victims of sexual violence who have fallen through the cracks because they do not meet the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's criteria for self-reliance settlement funds.
Those eligible for support are individuals who have stayed in a sexual violence victim protection facility in the Gwangju area for more than four months and have subsequently left. It is not possible to receive both the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's self-reliance settlement grant and this grant at the same time.
As of 2024, about 20 victims are residing in protection facilities in the Gwangju area. Among them, 90% are reported to be victims with borderline intelligence or mental disabilities. These individuals face significant difficulties in returning to society and achieving economic independence, leading to ongoing calls for additional support.
The government’s self-reliance support grant can only be received if all of the following conditions are met: admission before the age of 19, residence for more than six months, and leaving the facility after the age of 19. As a result, only one or two people in Gwangju benefit from this grant each year.
In response, the city has established the "New Start Encouragement Grant," funded entirely by the city budget, to provide practical support for self-reliance. This new system is expected to serve not only as financial assistance but also as a stepping stone for victims to return to the local community.
Lee Youngdong, Director of the Gender Equality and Family Bureau, said, "The New Start Encouragement Grant is more than just financial support; it will be an important stepping stone for victims to recover their lives and return to the community. We will continue to strengthen our victim-centered welfare system in the future."
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