This blog post takes a deep look at the conflict between protecting human rights and ensuring the safety of victims surrounding the disclosure of the personal information of child sex offenders.
It is only natural that the South Korean court ruled that the disclosure of the personal information of sex offenders targeting children and minors is constitutional. There are many types of crimes in our society, but crimes targeting children who are not yet physically or mentally mature are the most vicious crimes of all. Since children are considered to be objects that should be protected by adults, crimes like this should be punished more severely. If the same crime is committed against a child, there is a good reason to impose a heavier punishment on the crime.
In particular, sexual violence is a very serious crime in itself, but when the victim is a child, the severity of the damage is beyond imagination. Unlike adults, children lack the ability to defend themselves or recognize situations, so sexual violence against them is an unforgivable act for the perpetrator. As a result, child sexual assault offenders should be subject to stronger sanctions from society, and the disclosure of their personal information is a very appropriate response as a form of such sanctions.
There was a case in which a sex offender filed a constitutional complaint against the disclosure of his personal information. The fact that a sex offender filed a constitutional complaint against the disclosure of his personal information can be used as evidence that he did not recognize and acknowledge the extent of his wrongdoing. This shows that the criminal does not recognize the seriousness of his or her criminal acts or does not understand the depth of the suffering caused to the victim. The idea that it is unreasonable for the personal information of a child sex offender to be disclosed is very unfair from the victim’s point of view and is bound to cause anger. The fact that such an idea is possible shows that Korean society still has a too lenient attitude toward child sex crimes.
In foreign countries, those who commit sex crimes involving children are given very heavy sentences. People’s perceptions of child sex crimes are also very strict, and strong penalties are guaranteed for such crimes by law. It is only right that criminals who commit child sex crimes abroad are subject to one measure of disclosure of personal information. Victims of sexual violence are left with scars that cannot be washed away for the rest of their lives. This can cause extreme mental distress, making it difficult to carry out daily life and even lead to suicide. Therefore, sexual violence is not just a simple physical violation, but should also include the concept of murder.
Despite the fact that the victim is suffering from the damage they have suffered, the victim’s personal information is often more widely known than the perpetrator’s. This is one of the serious problems in our society, which reveals the reality that victims are not protected. In order for child sex offenders to be punished appropriately, it is necessary to strengthen the laws and regulations related to child sex crimes. The laws on child sex crimes in Korea are relatively weak, both absolutely and relatively. Since the target of sex crimes is children, the process of children growing up to become adults must be considered.
If a person who has committed a crime is released back into society before the child has even grown up, the victim will have to live in fear and anxiety every moment. This is not just an individual problem, but a problem directly related to the safety of society as a whole. Therefore, the disclosure of the personal information of such criminals should be established as a necessity, not an option. We should prioritize the protection of the human rights of the victims over the protection of the human rights of the criminals.
For all of these measures to be implemented, a fundamental change in the perception of Korean society is needed. We are so used to light punishments that we tend to consider even a slight increase in the sentence to be sufficient punishment. However, from the victim’s point of view, the punishment is still insufficient. It is not enough to be relieved that the punishment has been slightly increased from a low level, but it is necessary to strengthen the punishment to a level that everyone can accept before it can be said that real measures have been taken. Anyone can nod their head if they think a little more deeply about the seriousness of child sex crimes.
In addition to strengthening legal punishment, it is also necessary to establish education and social systems to prevent sex crimes. Through education, children should learn how to protect themselves, and society should strengthen the safety net for them. It is important to create an environment where victims can be protected safely, along with strong sanctions to prevent criminals from returning to society. When these changes are made, we will be able to break the vicious cycle of child sex crimes and create a safe society.
