KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

2017 KWDI Abstract

 

Sexual Violence and Domestic Violence Male Victims Support Status and Policy Task

 

Mijeong Lee

Soo-Yeon Jung

Hye-lin Yang

 

The support system for victims of sexual violence/domestic violence has been greatly improved in Korea, but because the system is specialized for the mostly female victims, accessing services is difficult for male victims. The reality is that there is insufficient understanding of male victims, and the support system is inadequate and cannot provide appropriate services. Therefore, in this research, we want to suggest measures to build a comprehensive support system for male victims.

 

The content of this research is the following. First, we examine the existing research about victims of sexual violence/domestic violence from Korea and other countries. Second, we can grasp the scale of male victimization through existing research statistics and crime statistics, and we examine dimensions of male victimization by analyzing data from the mass media. Third, by analyzing the data collected through '2016 Nationwide Survey of Domestic Violence,' we examined social variables related to occurrences of victimization and investigated causes of domestic violence against males. Fourth, we analyzed cases of sexual violence against males who were at least 19 years old through interviews with victims. Fifth, we analyzed in-depth interviews with professionals at domestic violence and sexual violence victim support agencies nationwide. Finally, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 197 professionals at victim support agencies to analyze their experiences of supporting male victims, their awareness about male victims, and the current status of support for victims.

 

Based on the results of the analyses, we propose the following policy recommendations. The proposals are divided into greatly improving awareness about male victims, improving services for supporting male victims of violence, and improving the support system for male victims of violence. First, it is necessary to improve social awareness about male victims. Males can also be faced with sexual violence and domestic violence, and they can suffer as much as females because of their victimization, receiving injuries and suffering pain.

 

In addition, when they are faced with victimization, they should be able to request help and support. Furthermore, a societal bond of sympathy should be formed about the point that male victims also have to be actively supported. This kind of content should be included in violence prevention education in elementary and secondary schools. Second, it is necessary to improve awareness of male victims. When comparing crime statistics with statistics from surveys, the rate of male victims is lower in crime statistics because there is a lower tendency for males to report to the police. The tendency of males to conceal their victimization by violence increases the possibility that they will be victimized again. The first step in solving the problem of violence against males is exposing the reality of the victimization. To this end, we have to acknowledge the possibility of violence against males and the time of the occurrence, and they have to be actively guided to request help. In addition, it is also necessary to actively publicize support services targeted at male victims.

 

Third, it is also necessary to improve the awareness of professionals at support agencies. The standard of awareness of professionals about male victims of violence is high. However, this level of awareness has not been seamlessly linked to support for male victims. The limitations of the current support system and the education and inadequate training of professionals are issues to be improved. Fourth, it is necessary to improve the awareness of police and medical professionals. It is confirmed by existing research from foreign countries and this study that the trend for males is to have a very low reporting rate to the police. Although the victim may risk humiliation and report to the police, the police or medical experts show prejudice and an attitude of criticism to male victims, which can jeopardize the safety of the victim. It is necessary to improve the ability of police officers in charge to empathize and demonstrate a high level of expertise.

 

In order to improve support services for male victims of violence, first, the accessibility of support agencies for male victims of violence should be improved. Apart from the 1366 hotline for women, support agencies for sexual violence and domestic violence are distributed throughout the country, and they should be able to provide services to both men and women in the information and counseling phase. In addition, it is necessary to think about and consider not excluding male victims in agency names and publicity. Second, it is important to educate professionals at agencies that support victims of violence, as well as police and medical personnel. Education is needed on how to approach male victims differently from female victims in terms of evidence collection, counseling techniques, and statement investigations. Third, data should be collected about male victims who have requested assistance from the support agencies. In this study, it was confirmed that male victims requested support at victim support agencies nationwide. It is necessary to collect data on cases involving male victims by collecting cases filed at relevant agencies nationwide. This data will be used as precious material for education and making a manual. Fourth, support for victims of violence who are sexual minorities should be improved. Close cooperation with organizations advocating for their human rights is necessary when supporting sexual minorities who are victims of violence. Fifth, the establishment of shelters for males for emergency protection is necessary. There was a high demand for male shelters in a survey of support agencies for victims of violence. There is an urgent need to establish one male shelter in each region. Sixth, it is necessary to vitalize a self-help group for male victims. Seventh, it is necessary to develop a training program for female offenders. The severity of the violent event is categorized, so in a case where the severity is weak, there is couple's counseling for healthy relationship formation, as well as education for conflict resolution and anger management. In serious cases, psychological intervention should be considered.

 

Finally, in order to improve the support system for victims of male violence, first, training is needed in existing support agencies for victims of violence. Second, a dedicated agency for supporting male victims of violence should be established. About half of the professionals agreed about establishing a dedicated agency to support male victims of violence. The dedicated agencies should support the client in connecting with the Sunflower Center to receive services related to evidence collection and statement investigations, and they should have the function of being able to provide ongoing counseling, psychotherapy, and legal information. Third, it is necessary to designate specialized agencies regionally to support male victims. Since the number of new agencies to be established is limited, it is thought that it will be easier to expand services by designating an agency among existing regional agencies to be one that is specialized for the support of male victims. When designating agencies, it is necessary to provide additional personnel and budget. It is also important to consider prioritizing the recruitment of qualified male professionals when placing additional personnel.