Stronger measures to protect stalking victims necessary: report

gettyimagesbank

The number of stalking complaints filed with police more than quadrupled in one year, according to a report, Monday.

However, response measures for victims did not correspond with the sharp increase in cases, it added.

The act on punishment for the crime of stalking went into effect in October 2021.

According to the National Police Agency (NPA), the number of stalking cases reported in June last year reached 14,272, four times higher than the 3,482 cases in June 2021, just before the law took effect.

According to the report from the Police Science Institute (PSI), which analyzed the effectiveness of police response in protecting stalking victims under the current law, the enforcement of measures, such as separating perpetrators from victims, should be enhanced.

The anti-stalking law delineates specific actions as stalking, encompassing activities such as approaching or following the victim, their partner or family; loitering near the victim's residence; and sending unsolicited objects, texts, words, pictures or videos through various communication channels.

Committing the crime of stalking involves causing anxiety or fear by doing these actions against the victim's will.

The PSI’s report suggests strengthening measures to swiftly separate perpetrators from victims.

Under the current law, the police can impose emergency measures, prohibiting the stalker from approaching within 100 meters of the victim and restricting telecommunication access. A fine of up to 10 million won ($7,675) can be imposed if the perpetrator violates these emergency measures.

However, the report asserts that this it is unlikely to deter further stalking crimes. Unlike other criminal punishments, a fine does not result in a criminal record. Moreover, even if the fine goes unpaid, there is a lack of means to enforce it, making perpetrators less apprehensive about committing the crime.

From October 2021, when the law was implemented, to July this year, the violation rate of emergency measures was 11 percent, representing 662 out of 6,030 cases. During the same period, the violation rate of provisional measures was 8 percent, with 955 out of 12,008 cases.

The report suggests that an in-depth review is necessary if a stalking suspect deliberately violates emergency measures. This review aims to ensure that the assailant faces criminal punishment, such as imprisonment, rather than fines.

The short duration of provisional measures, such as detaining a perpetrator, was also pointed out.

The current law limits the period of provisional measures for prohibiting access using telecommunications to two months and for putting perpetrators in detention centers or prison to one month.

In the case of provisional measures for access prohibition using telecommunications, the period can be extended twice, allowing for a maximum duration of six months. However, the report highlights the need for additional extensions even within this act.

The report suggested that the government must establish a continuous collaborative framework among relevant agencies to create a more effective system to protect stalking victims' safety, as stalking crimes often have a high risk of escalating and leading to violent crimes such as murder.