Seoul police strengthen response to relationship-based crimes...250 police, local government and counseling agency officials gather

[Financial News] Seoul police are strengthening cooperation with local governments and counseling and support agencies to protect victims of relationship-based crimes, including domestic violence and stalking. The agency plans to continue checking victims' safety even after cases are processed and, if additional harm is identified, swiftly connect them with investigations and protective measures.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said on the 2nd that it had held the 'Public-Private-Police Joint Workshop to Strengthen Cooperation in Responding to Relationship-Based Crimes' jointly with the Seoul Metropolitan Government on the 1st at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Jung District, Seoul.
About 250 personnel from relevant organizations attended, including victim protection teams at 31 police stations in the Seoul area and Sonamu Centers in 25 autonomous districts, as well as the One-Stop Support Center for Stalking Victims, Crime Victim Support Centers, domestic violence counseling centers and the Relationship-Based Crime Monitoring Support Team.
The workshop was organized to share examples of cooperation among relevant agencies and strengthen a joint response system that identifies additional risks to victims at an early stage and connects them with investigations, protective measures, counseling, welfare services and other necessary support.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has expanded its cooperation with relevant agencies, recognizing the limits of relying solely on police action to provide continuous protection for victims of relationship-based crimes. After beginning cooperation with Sonamu Centers in 2018, it established a partnership with the One-Stop Support Center for Stalking Victims in 2024. This year, it expanded its partners to include domestic violence counseling centers and the Relationship-Based Crime Monitoring Support Team, which operates through a social contribution program for retired public officials.
From January through August, 6,615 cases were referred to Sonamu Centers, while 585 cases were referred to the One-Stop Support Center for Stalking Victims. The Relationship-Based Crime Monitoring Support Team, which began operating in June, conducted 990 monitoring checks.
The event also presented cases in which cooperation among relevant agencies helped identify additional risks to victims and connect them with police investigations and protective measures.
In a case involving cooperation between Seobu Police Station and Sonamu Center, a victim referred to the center after reporting domestic violence additionally disclosed that her husband had repeatedly assaulted her and emotionally abused their child. After the center notified police, officers began an investigation prior to formal case registration and proceeded with referring the case for domestic-violence and child-protection proceedings, along with safety measures.
During cooperation between Nowon Police Station and the One-Stop Support Center for Stalking Victims, it was confirmed that a husband against whom provisional measures had been ordered had threatened to kill the victim. After being notified by the center, police responded, secured relevant evidence and registered the case as a violation of the provisional measures.
Seoul Guro Police Station also began an investigation prior to formal case registration after the Relationship-Based Crime Monitoring Support Team reported that a stalking perpetrator had contacted the victim again. Police then sought provisional measures and implemented safety measures.
The workshop also featured special lectures by experts aimed at improving field practitioners' communication skills. Park Jae-yeon, director of Replus Human Research Institute, and Park Jung-sook, CEO of the Seoul Foundation of Women and Family, were among the speakers.
Lee Jin-su, head of the Public Safety and Traffic Department at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, urged, "Because relationship-based crimes, including domestic violence and stalking, carry a high risk of recurrence, they should not end with simply processing a case. Through continuous monitoring, victims' safety must be checked and they must be connected to necessary support, including counseling, welfare and housing."


[email protected] Kim Ye-ji Reporter