Harsher Law for Sex Crimes

[aleash1989.livejournal.com]

Korea strengthens law on sex crimes

Korea is stepping up its fight against sex crimes.

The legal authorities of the country have abolished the statute of limitations on cases involving a minor who is under 13-years-old and cases that involve a rape and murder.

This revision is expected to give more leverage to local authorities as the police will be able to hunt down sex offenders without the pressure of a deadline and will easily be able to re-open a cold case.

The new law is also giving the power to authorities to decide whether or not to pursue a case.

For the past 60 years, the law prohibited authorities from trying sex offenders without the consent of the victim or unless the offender voluntarily turned themselves in.

Due to this clause, victims often asked the authorities not to pursue their case so as to not expose themselves to the public out of embarrassment or out of fear as their attacker could pressure them to agree to a settlement.

On top of what the victims had to go through, they had to make the pain-staking decision of whether to face their offender or try to get on with their lives without pressing charges.

Finally, sex offenders can no longer expect more lenient sentences by saying they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs when committing a sex crime.

The law has also been revised to include men as potential victims of sex abuse.

Kim Ji-yeon, Arirang News.

Reporter : jiyeonkim@arirang.co.kr

Source: Arirang News

There is also a video at the source on the topic.
I am so glad to hear this! Korean law has seemed lenient on many crimes imo, and this change in law is a positive step forward.

Comments

[tempestdance.livejournal.com]

if only this law passed before the Park Si Hoo scandal. disgusting slimebag.

[aleash1989.livejournal.com]

Mte.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Ugh this. He had legit evidence against him but he kept saying "IT WAS CONSENSUAL!"

smh....

[frantastic.livejournal.com]

The new law is also giving the power to authorities to decide whether or not to pursue a case.

For the past 60 years, the law prohibited authorities from trying sex offenders without the consent of the victim or unless the offender voluntarily turned themselves in.

FINALLY

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

See that's the only part of the law I'm a little hesitant towards especially if the victim is dead set against it not going to court. I'm afraid that it will force victims who aren't ready to deal with the trauma to face it before they are ready or for the victim to be called to the witness Stand and face her attacker and relive the trauma. But I also see how it could be useful in cases where the rape occurred to a child or a teenager and the parents wanted it dropped and the child doesn't where before as a minor the parents wishes would have trumped the victims and now the law can step in pursue it anyway

[frantastic.livejournal.com]

perhaps i'm hoping too much, when i read that i was considering it would be done in the most cautious way possible, as in not putting the victims into more trauma which may cause the trial (not making them testify while facing the attacker, getting different evidence) but i completely agree with your comment

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

I lost all faith in law enforcement when it comes to sex crimes sadly a littlest but especially in the US after a jury found a man innocent of brutally murdering an escort for not breaking the law and providing him with sex he thought he "deserved".

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

the us government seems to be perplexed as to why a lot of the us youth is either choosing to work abroad/emigrate to canada/europe or seem to be flocking away from the hugely conservative back woods state....its really not that hard to see why but its stump the old white males of congress surprise surprise

[modestgoddess79.livejournal.com]

yeah I was so pissed when I heard about that crime. Cause apparently a prostitute not giving you sex is justification for murder.

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

That's the thing tho she wasn't a prostitue she was an escort which is legal as long as no sexual acts are preformed so by following the law and doing her job she was murdered and he got away with it it's fucking sickening

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

Thank god for most of these I just hope they don't just sit on the books but get actively informed. The only one I'm hesitant on is the police being able to pursue the rapist without the victims consent. .

[uledy.livejournal.com]

The only one I'm hesitant on is the police being able to pursue the rapist without the victims consent.

IA. That part of the article really gave me pause. Is the prosecution now going to compel survivors to testify? This could potentially turn into another form of victimization and it makes me uncomfortable (this is assuming that the consequences for contempt of court are similar in SK as it is in the US).

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

Right that's my worry plus I end up seeing a lot of victims understand lay not wanting to testify and have to face there attackers having the case dropped and then having it always be "her fault" for not putting him in jail and the psychological extra damage that could happen to them.

[torontok.livejournal.com]

This is actually a very positive step forward for victims legally. The next step would be training police units how to deal with victims in a sensitive mnner, providing more female officers, rape kits etc.

[ababobaby.livejournal.com]

Well I hope the authority truly abides by this law

[cairistiona.livejournal.com]

OMG this is brilliant news, about time really. Should have been done years ago.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Oh thank God.

[chikage-chan.livejournal.com]

Good job, Korea! Now let's hope they really enforce it!

[lobotronic.livejournal.com]

THANK GOD.

because idk if you guys heard but a Korean male teacher had sex with a 12 year old (ELEMENTARY SCHOOL) and because she said "no please don't arrest him, I love him"......she is a baby, she has no idea that what he did was predatory and disgusting. YET HE DIDN'T GO TO JAIL.. this new change will make sure that rapists and predators get what they deserve.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2012/12/116_126370.html

[love-keiko.livejournal.com]

oh. my. fuckin. god.

[a-cheshire-grin.livejournal.com]

About time!!!

[mahmoodnooni23.livejournal.com]

why aren't these laws active in the US...

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

they are they just arent actively enforced

[mahmoodnooni23.livejournal.com]

booo -grimaces-

[kukamine.livejournal.com]

not to mention most rape victims these days are suspected of faking it or they get blamed/judged for it (the media and stupid people I mean). Well, in the US, anyway.

[shineebambi.livejournal.com]

Or the fact that if they actually do get there day in court it's more of a well she was asking for it rape apologist show then actually trying to put the rapist away it's disgusting

[kukamine.livejournal.com]

this

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

This is some good news. It's a definite step forward for the justice system! Hopefully positive steps will continue to come that will help to bring justice and help victims.

[canadaphile.livejournal.com]

This is fantastic. This is the kind of change we need to see elsewhere as something. There is no reason why an offender should get away with his or her actions so easily, particularly when another person is victimised. It's a good step forward; I hope the authorities take full advantage of it.

=^..^=~

[kazu-kumaguro.livejournal.com]

omg so what my friend said about the new president is doing quite a good job (and angering old men, males) is true.

[bumie.livejournal.com]

finally