Seoul, South Korea – The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced that its One-Stop Support Center for Stalking Victims has provided comprehensive support to 439 individuals over the past year. The center, operated by the Seoul Women's Development Institute, offers a range of services including counseling, legal aid, and temporary housing.
According to the city's analysis, 65.1% of stalking perpetrators were former romantic partners. Additionally, seven out of ten victims experienced further harm, such as dating violence, threats, and physical assault. Common forms of stalking included communication harassment (34%), watching or waiting for the victim (30.1%), and approaching or following the victim (23.9%).
Launched in September 2022, Seoul's one-stop support system connects victims with the police's child abuse prevention officers (APO) and the social welfare information system through a "stalking victim support hotline." This enables victims to receive prompt assistance, including psychological counseling, legal support, private security, and relocation assistance.
One victim, identified only as "A," described how she received over 50 calls and 1,000 messages per day from her ex-boyfriend after ending the relationship. The city provided her with expert counseling, private security, and legal aid to help her regain a sense of safety.
Another victim, "B," received a four-year prison sentence for her stalker, thanks to the city's legal support. The city also provided ongoing support to ensure her safety.
For victims facing online harassment, such as the sharing of personal information or the creation of deepfakes, the city connected them with the Digital Sex Crime Support Center to have the content removed and monitored.
To provide emotional support, the city partnered with 79 experts from the Korean Counseling Psychology Association to offer counseling services. The number of counseling sessions has increased from 25 in the previous year to 120 this year. Additionally, victims can receive up to 1 million won in relocation assistance and private security services.
The city also operates emergency shelters where victims can stay for up to six months. Pets are also allowed, ensuring that victims can bring their companions with them.
The center has received a high satisfaction rating of 4.83 out of 5 from users, with psychological counseling being particularly well-received.
Recognizing the severity of stalking, which can escalate into violent crimes, the city plans to expand its support services to include victims of dating violence and strengthen its legal and psychological support.
"Stalking can escalate into serious crimes like violence and murder, putting victims in a very difficult situation," said Kim Sun-soon, Director of the Seoul Women's Family Affairs Division. "We will continue to provide comprehensive and specialized support to help victims return to their normal lives."
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