Calls seeking counseling on domestic and sexual abuse hit all-time high in South Korea

SEOUL – The number of people consulting state-run counseling centers regarding domestic, sexual abuse and intra-family conflicts was at the highest level recorded in 2023, according to data released by South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family on November 3.

In 2023, a total of 337,171 calls were made to national counseling centers for victims of domestic and sexual abuse, as well as other types of domestic conflict and crimes such as stalking. According to the ministry’s annual report, this figure increased by 15.1 percent compared to the previous year.

185,785 of these calls were related to sexual violence. Of the remaining 151,386, 92,375 were related to domestic violence; this rate was 65,211 in 2022.

The other 59,011 were related to various forms of family and relationship conflicts. The number of consultations regarding domestic conflicts and sexual issues that were not serious enough to be considered a crime were 11,501 and 8,193, respectively.

While the number of calls related to dating violence reached 4,110, 3,355 calls were made by victims of stalking.

The remainder, approximately 10 percent of the grand total, is unclassified.

Specifically, in consultations on sexual violence, 17.7 percent of alleged perpetrators were people with whom the victims worked. This was followed by a friend or someone from school with 12.8 percent, and family members with 12 percent.

Almost half (41.7 percent) of counseling calls were related to rape and “imitation rape.” The second of these crimes is penetration, which involves only a person’s genitals.

Forced inappropriate action (sexual harassment without input) accounted for 36.4 percent.

The report also included consultations requested by people with physical disabilities.

The number of disabled people applying for counseling in 2023 increased to 60,702. This figure was 53,208 the previous year. 42,561 of these calls were related to sexual violence; This means that almost one in four sexual violence consultations are made by a disabled person.

The South Korean government operates 35 protection centers for victims of sexual violence, and these centers are used by 243 people by the end of 2023. A total of 150 people were newly admitted to protection centers in 2023.

Victims of sexual violence can call the 1366 emergency line and apply for protection, medical assistance, legal and other consultancy services. KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK