Osan City Establishes New 'Child Protection Team' for Child Abuse Investigations and Protection

[Suwon Ilbo=Correspondent Seo Dong-young] Osan City announced on the 11th that it established a new 'Child Protection Team' as of January 1st to exclusively handle child abuse investigations and child protection.

The Child Protection Team consists of five dedicated civil servants for child abuse investigations and one dedicated protection worker who perform child abuse investigation and victim child protection duties that were previously handled by private child protection specialist agencies.

Additionally, the team will establish necessary guidance and management systems including case management and post-inspection to prevent recurrence of abuse after victim children return to their families. A 24-hour response system through its own child abuse emergency hotline (031-374-1391) will also be established.

Through this measure, public accountability is expected to be strengthened in child abuse investigation and management work previously conducted by the private sector, and more systematic and proactive management of children requiring protection is anticipated.

The team's establishment follows amendments to the Child Welfare Act to carry out a comprehensive reorganization of the child abuse response system as part of the government's national policy agenda, 'Ten Core Tasks for Inclusive Nation Child Policy.'

Kim Sun-ok, director of the city's Department of Children and Adolescents, stated, "Witnessing recent child abuse incidents, I felt a heavy sense of responsibility. Through the newly established Child Protection Team, we will do our best to support children in growing up as warm members of society in a safe environment."