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Youth sex crime victims surge 43% in 4 years
The number of adolescents victims of sex crimes has jumped by more than 40 percent over the past three years.
According to the data submitted to Rep. Moon Hak-jin of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) by the National Police Agency, Thursday, 4,529 youths aged between 16 and 20 were sexually abused at least once by either adults or their peers in 2010. It marks a 43 percent gain from 3,159 in 2007.
Among those aged 13-15, 1,656 were subject to sexual assaults, up 36 percent from 1,220 three years ago.
“Sex crimes targeting minors have increased at a much faster than those on adults over the past few years. In particular, the number of sex offenses adolescents committed against their peers grew sharply amid the increasingly open and liberal social atmosphere toward sex,” a police officer said.
A total of 166 such cases were reported last year, more than double from 64 in the year 2007.
Rep. Moon said law enforcement authorities should harshly punish sex offenders preying on minors, stressing that teachers and parents need to pay more attention to the wellbeing of adolescents.