public campaigns to create a common ground of understanding about the problem of hatred
and discrimination among the general public and increase public awareness towards the
problem. The NHRCK is also going to support and cooperate consistently, for the purpose of
the successful “human rights management in education” which will be sought after by the
Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education.
60.
The Government should take active reactions to any false information or any
action of hatred and discrimination which is relevant to the rights of the child.
Additionally, the Government should support the formulation of human rights
instruments in local communities in order to create a human-rights-friendly school
culture, while setting a long-term plan and establishing the relevant systems to this end.
D. Violence against Children
(Articles 19, 24(3), 28(2), 34, 37(a) and 39)
Issue 19. Child abuse report
61.
According to the 2017 National Child Abuse Status Report by the MOHW and the
National Child Protection Agency, the number of reports of suspected child abuse was 25,878
in 2016, and 18,700 of them were confirmed as child abuse and 8,288 (30% of the total reports)
were made by mandatory reporters. The Report showed that the child abuse discovery rate (the
ratio of the number of children in confirmed child abuse cases to every 1,000 children) in this
country was 2.15‰, which is lower than in some advanced nations, including the United States
(9.1‰ in 2016) and Australia (9.0‰ on average in 2016~2017). Experts say that the low rate
of Korea is not because of a smaller number of actual child abuse cases but because of less
disclosure of child abuse which is also related to low reporting rates.
62.
In May 2016, the NHRCK recommended the MOHW to devise a guideline to unify
the reporting system within the mandatory reporting agency and clarify who has the
responsibility to report; to set up more shelters exclusively for child abuse victims; and to
introduce a specialized foster care system and secure the necessary budget.
63.
The Government should work out the measures to raise the child abuse
reporting rate, including the one to provide stronger protection to reporters, so that every
incident of child abuse may be discovered at an earlier time.
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