The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 21st that it has confirmed four cases of abuse as a result of a total investigation of three-year-old children (born in 2016) residing in Korea with the National Police Agency to check whereabouts and safety.
This total survey was conducted on a total of 34,819 children from October last year to January this year. A public official in charge of the Eup, Myeon, and Dong Community Center visited the child’s residence in person, and some families who were reluctant to visit due to the influence of the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19) confirmed the situation through a video call with the child.
Five of the target children were found to be suspicious of abuse, so a public official in charge of child abuse, an agency specializing in child protection (Abojeon), and the police closely investigated whether the abuse was damaged.
As a result of the investigation, four cases were found to be actual abuse cases. There were two cases of neglect, one physical abuse, and one case of both.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said that three of them were separated from their parents and that case management was undertaken by local governments and Abojeon. One is protected by the original family after consulting with their parents.
In addition, eight children whose whereabouts were unknown were investigated by the police to determine whether they were safe.
In addition, the Ministry of Health and Welfare provided welfare services necessary for raising children, such as applying for welfare benefits or providing daily necessities to a total of 152 children from vulnerable families.
For example, a psychological development test was provided to A family with a child who showed language delays and violent behavior, and the unemployed mother helped to obtain employment-related qualifications.
In the case of family B, where there was a report from a neighbor that’the house was full of garbage’, the community center cleaned up the house, and supported child treatment in connection with’Dream Start’, an integrated service tailored for children of vulnerable groups.
Choi Jong-gyun, the Population and Children Policy Officer of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, “It is the important significance of this total investigation that we were able to preemptively detect and protect children victims of abuse.”
A total survey on children aged 3 years has been conducted every October to December since 2019. In October of this year, a survey on children born in 2017 will be conducted.
(yunhap news)