Victims of gender violence, including sexual and domestic violence, will receive enhanced legal support from the initial stages of police investigations.
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family announced on October 8 that it is strengthening the victim protection and support system to ensure that gender violence victims do not miss out on necessary assistance, following the revised Criminal Procedure Act that took effect on October 2.
To provide legal assistance from the early stages of investigations, the ministry plans to enhance free legal support. Since the first statement is crucial for case assessment, legal support will be introduced during the consultation phase with support organizations. The aim is to connect victims with lawyers who have sensitivity to gender violence, allowing for assistance from the initial investigation, including accompanying victims during their first interviews and submitting opinions.
The scope of support includes consultations before reporting or filing complaints, criminal procedures, and civil or family lawsuits necessary for victim recovery. The amount of support for criminal investigations and first trials will increase from 1.5 million won to 2.5 million won. The government has allocated 4.3 billion won for this purpose in the 2027 budget, an increase of 400 million won from this year's budget of 3.9 billion won.
Last year, there were 2,492 cases of free legal support, with 1,610 cases reported in the first half of this year. Of these, criminal cases accounted for approximately 31%, with 784 cases last year and 506 cases this year.
A guide titled 'Ten Rights Checklist for Gender Violence Victims' will also be distributed, summarizing essential rights and procedures that victims need to know in accordance with the investigation process.
The guide includes information on initial consultations, free legal support, confirmation of case registration, assistance during first interviews, protection of personal information, and procedures for filing complaints regarding delays or violations of rights. It also outlines the processes for confirming the results of case transfers or non-prosecution decisions, requesting interviews with prosecutors, and appealing non-prosecution decisions.
The guide will be distributed through the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family's website and victim support organizations, and will also be used for training counselors and field workers. A QR code included in the guide will allow victims to access detailed information about their rights and find nearby support organizations.
Additionally, counseling and medical support, as well as assistance during investigations and trials, psychological recovery, and housing support will continue through 625 victim support organizations nationwide. If victims reach out for help through the Women’s Emergency Hotline at 1366 or a nearby counseling center, they will be connected to appropriate specialized services, and if urgent protection is needed, they will be referred to shelters.
The ministry will also monitor whether victims' rights are upheld during the investigation and trial processes. This includes checking if victims receive adequate information about the progress and outcomes of their cases, whether they can utilize remedial procedures in cases of delays or rights violations, and ensuring that support is not interrupted during case transfers or supplementary investigations. The ministry will also assess whether unnecessary repeated statements increase the burden on victims. Any issues identified on the ground will be discussed with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Agency, to develop improvement measures.
Furthermore, training will be provided to staff at 257 counseling centers on victims' rights and remedial procedures under the revised Criminal Procedure Act. The ministry plans to expand specialized training for investigators to better understand victims' psychological states and the characteristics of gender violence, increasing the number of trained personnel from 2,500 this year to 5,000 next year.
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung stated, "While the system and judicial framework may change, the state's responsibility to protect victims remains unchanged. Through the 'Ten Rights Checklist for Gender Violence Victims,' we will guide victims on essential rights and procedures during the support process and expand free legal assistance to ensure they receive necessary legal support from the outset of investigations."
She added, "The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family will serve as a public safety net and a reliable supporter to ensure that victims are not left in the gaps or marginalized throughout the entire process, from the initial investigation to their recovery in daily life."
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.