LocationsTechnologically Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: The incident that triggered change in South Korea
July 23, 2024
In the Asian city that never sleeps, a mix of innovative technology and a respect for traditions, home of the K-Pop and cult classics “Parasite” and „Oldboy“, everything’s seems is perfect. Streets, traffic, skyscrapers, people, and tourists all seem to coexist in mutual respect and peace. When you walk the streets, you notice that people move quickly, barely acknowledging your presence, perhaps because they select harmony over attracting attention to themselves. Welcome to Seoul, the city of tomorrow!
Our recent visit to Seoul, once poor South Korean city, now a cultural capital, super-modern conglomerate, was related to our work in the United Nations Development Programme office in North Macedonia. This study visit included representatives from North Macedonia's Ministry of Interior and was organized as part of the "Combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the Digital Sphere" project. We aimed to learn from one of the world's best, as the Republic of Korea, a global leader in technology and innovation, has taken a pioneering role in addressing the complex issue of technologically facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV).
But to become the safe, modern city it is today, Seoul learned many lessons in the past. Crimes and violence can happen anywhere, and it is up to society and the authorities to learn from mistakes and transform the system to improve people's lives. To explain how this is done, we will tell you about a case that provoked nationwide attention due to institutional mistreatment in providing timely and comprehensive support to victims of sexual violence and the decisive action taken by the Korean government to ensure this never happens again.
The birth of the Seoul Sunflower Center
In 2003, a disturbing case of sexual violence in the Republic of Korea drew national attention. A young woman, after being assaulted, sought immediate help. However, she was met with a fragmented system that required her to visit multiple hospitals and police stations over three excruciating days to receive medical treatment and initiate an investigation. This suffering highlighted the systemic failures in providing timely and comprehensive support to victims of sexual violence. In response to this incident, the government of the Republic of Korea took decisive action. Within a year, the Seoul Sunflower Center was established, marking a significant step towards integrated support for victims of gender-based violence. The center was designed to provide comprehensive services under one roof, including:
- Counseling: Professional support to help victims process their trauma and navigate the healing journey.
- Medical care: Immediate and comprehensive medical examinations and treatment.
- Investigation support: Coordination with law enforcement to ensure that evidence is collected efficiently, and investigations proceed without delay.
This integrated approach aimed to minimize the additional trauma that victims often faced when dealing with multiple agencies and institutions.
Expansion and impact
The success of the Seoul Sunflower Center quickly led to the expansion of the model. Within two years of its inception, a total of 11 centers were opened across the country. These centers have provided thousands of victims with the support they need, demonstrating the effectiveness of a one-stop approach in addressing the complexities of gender-based violence.
What have we learned from this and what steps can be taken?
In today's digital age, technology has become a double-edged sword. While it offers numerous benefits, it also facilitates new forms of gender-based violence, such as cyberstalking, online harassment, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, to name a few. These technologically facilitated crimes can have devastating impacts on victims, making the need for integrated support systems even more critical.
Why integrated support systems matter
One-stop support systems like the Seoul Sunflower Center are essential for several reasons:
- Holistic care: Victims receive comprehensive support in one location, reducing the need to retell their story multiple times and relive their trauma.
- Timely intervention: Immediate access to medical and psychological care can significantly impact the victim's recovery process.
- Coordinated response: Integrated services ensure that all aspects of the victim's needs are addressed simultaneously, improving the overall effectiveness of the support provided.
- Empowerment: By streamlining the process, victims feel more supported and empowered to pursue justice.
In addition, during our study visit, we had the opportunity to observe several key institutions in action:
- Advocacy Center for Online Sexual Abuse Victims (ACOSAV)
Opened in 2018, ACOSAV offers services such as online outreach, deletion support for personal information and child sexual abuse images, and coordination with police, legal, and medical services. This multi-faceted strategy highlights the importance of comprehensive support for TFGBV victims.
- Women's Human Rights Institute
Korea's amended legislation established this institute, which can request the deletion of illegally filmed materials and sexually exploitative content. This support system is crucial for protecting victims' rights and freedoms online.
- Korean National Police Academy (KNPA)
KNPA’s specialized training programs for cybercrime investigators emphasize the need for law enforcement to be skilled in addressing TFGBV. Courses cover crimes involving female victims, children, and people with disabilities, ensuring a knowledgeable response to digital violence.
We have observed firsthand how these institutions operate, the services they provide, and the positive impact they have on victims of gender-based violence. The most valuable lesson learned is the importance of integrated support systems and their critical role in addressing both traditional and technologically facilitated gender-based violence.
Moving Forward: The case of North Macedonia
The case of the Republic of Korea provides a powerful example of how governments can effectively respond to the needs of gender-based violence victims. As technology continues to evolve, so must our approaches to preventing and addressing these crimes.
In North Macedonia, technologically facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is still not fully recognized. To build a robust support system for victims, the following steps are necessary:
- Criminal code amendments: Amend the Criminal Code to cover all specific forms of TFGBV.
- Law on Prevention and Protection from Violence against Women and Domestic Violence: Amend the law to include specific definitions and forms of TFGBV; Introduce specific services and protective measures for victims of digital GBV.
- Institutional capacity building: Provide specialized training on TFGBV for police officers, judiciary institutions, social work centers, and the Ministry of Social Policy; Develop training programs on TFGBV for judges and public prosecutors.
- Police cooperation: Implement special operational procedures for handling TFGBV cases; Enhance the personal and technical capacities of the police for evidence gathering.
- Multisectoral cooperation: Develop a protocol for mutual cooperation among competent entities to handle TFGBV cases.
- Coordinated statistics approach: Establish a coordinated approach to gather statistics on reported and prosecuted GBV cases, including TFGBV.
Conclusion
The study visit to Korea was a catalyst for significant ideas in our office. As we continue to navigate the complexities of technologically facilitated gender-based violence, these integrated support models will be crucial in providing the holistic care and justice that victims need.