By Lee Kyung-min
A series of sex abuse cases has shocked the nation as most of the offenders are lawmakers, teachers, and police officers. Experts say that most of them perpetrate sex offenses by abusing their positions of power.
According to Gyeonggi University criminology professor Lee Sue-jung, the recent sex offenders are all in a position to assert authority over their victims,
“They are well aware that their position enables a chance to get away with abusive behavior including sexual harassment,” she said.
She said that they don’t think their behavior is a crime as they are in full control.
“Their primary thought is ‘Do as I please, simply because I can,'” she said.
Public distrust of authority figures ultimately hurts social cohesion, she added.
“Teachers and Police officers are people we trust. But who would have faith in them if they are ethically this corrupt?”
Harsher punishment is the only effective way to help change such a distorted cultural perception, she added.
“The current punishments such as a suspension for a couple of days will not help the situation to improve. A pay cut, or inflicting some financial detriment could be an effective way to deal with the chronic problem.”
A school principal is not currently obliged to report to an education ministry office about any alleged sexual offence. Furthermore, a teacher can return to a school and face the victim after a suspension with virtually no consequences.
In response, Education Minister Hwang Woo-yea said last week that he is considering setting up an online hotline for victims of sexual abuse at schools to report incidents directly to the educational authorities to prevent schools from covering them up.
The supervising ministry punishing school authorities is crucial because the impact of victims’ filing individual reports is limited, according to a National Police Agency official.
Although police can launch an investigation into sexual harassment based on a tipoff without the victims’ directly reporting it, questioning perpetrators often hits a major roadblock because there is no punitive measures when they are unwilling to cooperate, she said.
“We launch an investigation if there is an allegation made. But investigation and punishment are two different matters because not every case is brought for indictment,” she added.