73.2% of Perpetrators Are Male; 22.5% in Their 40s
Desire for Control and Power Peaks in Middle Age, Leading to Violence
It has been found that a high proportion of perpetrators of so-called "relationship-based crimes," such as stalking, domestic violence, and dating violence, are middle-aged men.
According to Yonhap News on August 10, this finding was based on a paper published by Professor Cho Eunkyung's research team from Dongguk University's College of Police and Criminal Justice, which appeared in the latest issue of the Korean Society of Safety Culture's journal, "Safety Culture Research."
The research team analyzed 5,586 cases of "relationship-based crimes," including domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, that were reported to police stations in five regions?Seoul, northern Gyeonggi, southern Gyeonggi, Incheon, and Daegu?from September 13 to October 11 last year.
The analysis showed that more than 40% of perpetrators were in their 40s or 50s. Those in their 40s accounted for the largest share at 22.5%, followed by those in their 30s (20.8%), 50s (18.5%), and those aged 60 or older (17.7%). Notably, 73.2% of perpetrators were male, and when limited to stalking crimes, the average age of perpetrators was 43.53 years old.
Experts cited changes in the social status of men and women as a cause for the increase in crimes committed by middle-aged men. They explained that men with traditional views on gender roles reach the peak of their desire to maintain control and power during middle age, but if they are not recognized in society, this desire can manifest as violence.
Other factors identified included a younger physical age, weakened family bonds, and social isolation. Kim Sangkyun, a professor in the Department of Police Science at Baekseok University, told Yonhap News that "the number of middle-aged men experiencing depression due to unemployment or poverty is increasing, and as the age at which people remain physically active extends, stalking crimes are also on the rise." He added, "In addition to stronger penalties, systematic support from the government and local authorities for issues such as unemployment and poverty is necessary."
Recently, there was an incident at a senior welfare center in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi Province, where a man in his 60s killed a woman in her 50s with a weapon. This man had been stalking the victim since March of this year and had been reported to the police three times.
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