South Korea extends protective facility age limit for sexual violence victims to 25

South Korea's Ministry of Gender Equality and Family is advancing a plan to raise the age limit for victims of sexual violence to enter protective facilities to 25. The revised enforcement decree of the Act on the Prevention of Sexual Violence and Protection of Victims was approved by the State Council on June 2.

This amendment aims to support minor victims of sexual violence who enter protective facilities. Previously, the length of stay varied depending on the type of facility, such as general protective facilities, special support facilities, or independent living facilities. The new decree ensures that victims who were minors at the time of entering a facility can remain until they are 25, regardless of the facility type. This change is expected to provide victims with continuous, stable protection, counseling, and support for independence.

Furthermore, the revised law includes provisions to recognize absences for treatment and counseling for students who are victims of sexual violence as attendance days. School principals can grant these absences as attendance days, based on the opinions of experts in sexual violence cases, to facilitate necessary treatment, counseling, and protective measures.