Fear of sexual violence strikes 2/3 of women

By Isaac Kim

Many feel current sex crime prevention methods are inadequate.

Studies show two out of three women including, middle and high school students, believe they are not safe from sexual assault. The students believe half of Korean society is vulnerable.

The Ministry of Security and Public Administration (MSPA), through poll expert Global Research, surveyed 1,000 adults over the age of 19, 100 academic and law experts, and 1,000 middle and high school students between July 18 and July 25.

Among the four major social evils (sexual violence, domestic violence, school violence, and unsafe food), 49.3 percent of adults, 37 percent of experts and 54.9 percent of students chose sexual violence as the first evil that must perish.

Those who felt unsafe from sexual crimes were 54.3 percent of adults, 41 percent of experts, and 52.7 percent of students. Those who felt susceptible to sexual violence were 505 female adults (66.9 percent) and 474 female students (67.9 percent). The ratio of females who felt nervous was 70 percent, their ages ranging from the 20s to the 60s.

When asked why they felt unsafe, 62.2 percent of adults and 76.9 percent of middle and high school students said the penalties and preventive methods against assailants were not tough enough.

Academic and law experts (80.5 percent) said preventive education and misguided sexual awareness were the reasons for their nervousness.

To counter sexual violence, 72.6 percent of adults and 82.4 percent of students said penalties and preventive measures need to be fortified. Experts (66 percent) pointed to bolstering sex education and campaigns as ways to raise awareness should take priority when dealing with sex crimes.