Support for Digital Sex Crime Victims

There is also an important duty for society other than preventing the crime, supporting for the victims! There needs to be particularly sensitive care

What is Digital Sex Crime?

Digital sex crime refers to any and all forms of sexual harassment that occur in cyber space including acts of unlawful recording, dissemination and possession of such recordings, and threats.

In terms of preventive measures, it is imperative to avoid uploading your own or somebody else’s personal information including name, school, and home addresses, as well as photoshopped sexual images of others. It is also advisable to refrain from sending your own or somebody else’s pictures to someone you meet online. Last but not least, do not engage in any actions which could potentially be deemed as digital sex crimes such as watching, sending, or uploading pictures or videos taken without the consent of the parties involved.

If you discover any illegal recordings, please report them directly to the police. If you are being subjected to any sexual threats or intimidation, seek help from support centers. It is strongly recommended that all evidence of online contact involving threats and coercion, all of which are regarded as criminal acts, be saved.

Here is a summary of the initiatives being undertaken by Gyeonggi Province to raise public awareness about digital sex crime and to enhance the support systems for the victims of such crimes.

1. Gyeonggi-do Women and Family Foundation

The Gyeonggi-do Women and Family Foundation (GWFF) launched a campaign to raise awareness about digital sex crime with Uijeongbu Girls’ Middle School this past November. Hosted by GWFF’s digital sex crime correspondence team, the goal of this campaign focuses on promoting preventive measures as well as the support systems available to students who are vulnerable to such crimes. Representatives from the Gyeonggi Bukbu Provincial Police Agency, the Gyeonggi Province Office of Education, and the Digital Sex Crime Monitoring team also participated, distributing information leaflets about digital sex crimes not only to the students but also to members of the general public.

GWFF also held a forum addressing the current state of digital sex crime and related countermeasures in Gyeonggi Province back in August. The forum shared what the Action Committee Against Digital Sex Crime has achieved since June as well as their future goals. Discussion topics included the characteristics of and changes in digital sex crime, and the building a cooperative system in Gyeonggi Province to eliminate digital sex crime.

2. Seongnam City Integrated Support Center for Digital Sex Crime Victims

Seongnam City opened its Integrated Support Center for Digital Sex Crime Victims last October. With seven specialists on hand, the center provides the victims of digital sex crime with support services such as counseling, legal support, illegal recording removal, and testimony collection from medical institutions and police.

At the opening ceremony, the support center signed a partnership agreement with Codeline for the provision of education to the 20 members of the digital sex crime monitoring team regarding the tracing and investigation of illegal recordings. Codeline and the center will also establish a joint response system to prevent the circulation of digital sex crime recordings.

The Integrated Support Center also entered a partnership with Gyeonggi Seongnam Office of Education. This partnership will enable the formation of a joint support network for students who experience sexual violence inside and outside of school, as well as sex education programs to improve awareness of perpetration.

In July of 2020, Seongnam City opened an integrated support services website (http://sndwithy.seongnam.go.kr) and anonymous online counseling channel – “sndigital” on KakaoTalk – for the emergency reporting of digital sex crime. Virtual one-on-one counseling will be provided with comprehensive information regarding available support.

3. Consultation and Record Removal Service for Digital Sex Crime Victims

Gyeonggi Province and GWFF have prioritized the provision of consultation and the removal of digital sex crime recordings as well as the preservation of evidence for further investigations. Related support includes blocking the spread of any content involving sexual exploitation, recording without consent, and photoshopped sexual images. For a consultation, please call 031-220-3970 or email 031cut@gfwri.kr. Related services and further information can also be found through social media such as Instagram, Twitter, and Kakaotalk by searching for ‘031cut.’

Jeongok Jeong, President of Gyeonggido Family and Women Research Institute
ⓒGyeonggi Province