ID :
83633
Thu, 10/08/2009 - 14:26
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/83633
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(EDITORIAL from the JoongAng Daily on Oct. 8) - Preventing child sex crimes
The rape case of 8-year-old Na-young is rattling the nation. But simply
expressing anger over the this brutal crime will not bring fundamental change to
the country.
Before Na-young???s case was made public, many other innocent children were
victimized by child molesters. The nation was whipped up into a frenzy when
Hye-jin, 11, and Ye-seul, 8, were kidnapped, sexually assaulted and strangled in
Anyang in 2007. These types of sexual abuse cases involving children riled up and
outraged the nation, but the anger quickly dispelled.
It is a sad state of affairs. The number of children who have become victims of
sexual abuse increased nearly twofold over a five-year period, from 642 cases in
2003 to 1,220 in 2008.
This time, we must hold onto our anger over Na-young???s case and not let it
subside like we have in the past. Appropriate legal measures should be mapped out
to deter sexual abuse against children. Authorities need to take all possible
moves to scare sexual molesters, showing that they will eventually be caught and
pay a harsh price for committing wrongdoings. Extending the statute of
limitations for child sex offenders until the victim becomes an adult and
bringing more psychologists to police stations to induce crucial testimonies
could go a long way in helping. Also, the government needs to introduce a
criminal DNA bank as soon as possible. Although there are valid human rights
questions about such a move, it would be an effective measure to stem this
growing problem.
As President Lee Myung-bak has stated, government officials need to seriously
consider permanently separating people who sexual molest children from the rest
of society. Releasing information about child sex offenders - such as their
addresses, full names and pictures - to the public and requiring them to wear
electronic anklets for their rest of their lives could further help.
These suggested measures, however, are not enough to prevent repeat offenders.
After their release, many sex offenders in other countries change their names and
some commit crimes again, even with while wearing a monitoring anklet.
Limited resources and budgets also hinder police from tackling this issue
head-on. The government needs to change related laws to allow the courts to hand
down heavier sentences. And these sex offenders should not be given the options
of paroles or pardons. The government also needs to consider introducing a bill
that would make sex offenders undergo chemical castration, similar to the laws in
some other countries.
(END)
expressing anger over the this brutal crime will not bring fundamental change to
the country.
Before Na-young???s case was made public, many other innocent children were
victimized by child molesters. The nation was whipped up into a frenzy when
Hye-jin, 11, and Ye-seul, 8, were kidnapped, sexually assaulted and strangled in
Anyang in 2007. These types of sexual abuse cases involving children riled up and
outraged the nation, but the anger quickly dispelled.
It is a sad state of affairs. The number of children who have become victims of
sexual abuse increased nearly twofold over a five-year period, from 642 cases in
2003 to 1,220 in 2008.
This time, we must hold onto our anger over Na-young???s case and not let it
subside like we have in the past. Appropriate legal measures should be mapped out
to deter sexual abuse against children. Authorities need to take all possible
moves to scare sexual molesters, showing that they will eventually be caught and
pay a harsh price for committing wrongdoings. Extending the statute of
limitations for child sex offenders until the victim becomes an adult and
bringing more psychologists to police stations to induce crucial testimonies
could go a long way in helping. Also, the government needs to introduce a
criminal DNA bank as soon as possible. Although there are valid human rights
questions about such a move, it would be an effective measure to stem this
growing problem.
As President Lee Myung-bak has stated, government officials need to seriously
consider permanently separating people who sexual molest children from the rest
of society. Releasing information about child sex offenders - such as their
addresses, full names and pictures - to the public and requiring them to wear
electronic anklets for their rest of their lives could further help.
These suggested measures, however, are not enough to prevent repeat offenders.
After their release, many sex offenders in other countries change their names and
some commit crimes again, even with while wearing a monitoring anklet.
Limited resources and budgets also hinder police from tackling this issue
head-on. The government needs to change related laws to allow the courts to hand
down heavier sentences. And these sex offenders should not be given the options
of paroles or pardons. The government also needs to consider introducing a bill
that would make sex offenders undergo chemical castration, similar to the laws in
some other countries.
(END)
