Police to Adopt Victim-Centered Approach to Prostitution Crackdowns and Investigations, Strengthening Frontline Response Capabilities

[Financial News] The police brought together frontline officers to strengthen their response capabilities in dealing with prostitution-related crimes and reinforce a victim-centered system for crackdowns and investigations.
The Korean National Police Agency said on the 15th that it had held a special lecture to improve understanding of prostitution-related crimes, along with a discussion to share concerns between the agency and frontline officers, in observance of Prostitution Prevention Week.
Prostitution Prevention Week is observed under Article 7 of the Act on the Prevention of Sexual Traffic and Protection, etc. of Victims and Article 3 of its Enforcement Decree to raise public awareness of preventing prostitution and protecting victims.
The special lecture focused on improving understanding of prostitution-related crimes and strengthening response capabilities. Hwang Geum-myeong-ryun, head of Gender Justice Action GOMA, delivered the lecture, explaining the “characteristics of prostitution as violence against women” and emphasizing that police need to respond from a victim-centered perspective.
The lecture was followed by a discussion involving the Korean National Police Agency and frontline officers. Participants discussed the problems encountered by the agency’s various departments responsible for prostitution-related cases, as well as frontline officers, during crackdowns and investigations, along with areas requiring improvement.
The Korean National Police Agency shared with frontline personnel opinions gathered from relevant government agencies and civic groups. Officers from frontline vice investigation teams and other units described the practical difficulties they face during prostitution crackdowns and investigations, including identifying victims.
Jo Jueun, Director of Women's Safety and School Violence Countermeasures at the Korean National Police Agency, said, “This special lecture and discussion helped improve our understanding of prostitution-related crimes and the characteristics of victims, while also providing an opportunity to hear directly from those working on prostitution-related cases in the field. We will continue working to ensure that crackdowns and investigations related to prostitution can take their first step toward becoming victim-centered.”
[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter