KWDI Korean Women’s Development Institute

Abstract

 

A Study on the Survey on Violence Against Women: Analysis and Measures for Improvement

 

Mijeong Lee

Mihye Chang

Haesang Jeon

Da-Eun Jung

Inseon Lee

 

In this study, we reviewed the content and limitations of the survey on violence against women, which is conducted every 3 years, with respect to the survey’s content and limitations regarding sexual violence, domestic violence, prostitution, and sexual harassment. As we identified content on these subjects that was omitted from the survey, we suggested survey items that can reveal that content and should be included in future surveys on the prevention of violence against women, which is implemented under the Framework Act on the Prevention of Violence Against Women.

 

The result of our research shows that although large-scale surveys on violence against women on various topics are periodically conducted, data on violence against women in intimate relationships is not being collected well. Violence in intimate relationships is fatal to women, and although the related surveys are very important, the existing surveys are not sufficient to understand the actual situation.

 

In particular, in intimate partner relationships, data is being collected about domestic violence inflicted by spouses, but despite the severity in dating violence being recently highlighted, comprehensive statistics on violence inflicted by dating partners are not available.

 

Meanwhile, there is growing social awareness of the danger of stalking, and there is a high demand for systematic research data accumulation about it. Stalking is repeatedly approaching the victim even though this is unwanted and causes the victim to feel afraid, but the punishment for this is treated lightly, as a misdemeanor. As also shown by the 2016 survey on sexual violence, the stalking rate by people in intimate relationships is high, and it is necessary to organize the survey data to highlight this aspect.

 

There is a surge in social interest about digital sexual violence, but the 2016 survey on sexual violence did not include this part well. The term "secret camera" is used in the survey, but the term in the Korean language has the connotation of a joke or play, so this term needs to be changed because it does not sufficiently convey the severity of digital sexual violence. In addition to this, there is considerable fear of online dissemination of digital materials, and this part also needs to be included in the survey. The measures for improvement derived from this study are as follows.

 

First, in order to more systematically identify violence in intimate relationships, it is necessary to consider a method of integrating the surveys on sexual violence and domestic violence. There is no research data on whether a woman who has no spouse has suffered from physical or emotional violence or abuse, but dating violence could also be said to be included in this category.

 

Second, the results of the survey on violence against women were collected, but analysis and review of the data were not periodically conducted. If the data is regularly analyzed in-depth after completion of the survey, the main factors related to the occurrence of violence against women will be found, and through this, the contents and quality of the data can be examined.

 

Third, results from the 2016 survey on sexual violence came out with sexual assault involving assault and intimidation, attempted rape, and rape at nearly 0.0 percent each. Review is requested for this part. Victims may be sexually assaulted or raped by someone they are friends with, such as a dating partner, but in-depth research is needed on whether this experience of victimization is included and what point about the response makes people who are surveyed afraid or uncomfortable.

 

Fourth, considering the seriousness of violence against women, a survey should be conducted only for women that can capture the situation of violence against women well. It is also meaningful to examine men and women and compare them, but since men are surveyed in the existing survey on sexual and domestic violence, it is suggested that a survey on violence against women be limited to women.

 

Fifth, the survey on violence against women should include content about violence against women in intimate relationships. To this end, it should refrain from restricting responses to specific items based on whether or not the woman is married. When referring to the person who has inflicted violence on a woman, they can use a survey table that first indicates whether or not the person is in the category of an intimate relationship, and subsequently, the table can present categories of people in more distant relationships. Through this, we can focus more on identifying the damage inflicted by an intimate partner.

 

Sixth, as it is related to digital sexual violence, contents about filming using a camera, etc. should be included under Article 14 of the Act on the Punishment of Sexual Violence. In addition, it is recommended that sexual harassment in Kakaotalk chatrooms (a text-messaging service) also be included in the survey on violence against women.

 

Finally, considering the rapid aging of our society and the victimization of elderly women, women up to 75 years old should be included in the survey.