Child Sexual Abuse by Educators in South Korea: A Sentencing Verdict Analysis

• In Event: Child Sexual Abuse: Prevalence, Patterns, and Penalties

Abstract

Over the past two decades, child sexual abuse (CSA) has become a pressing social issue in South Korea. However, little is known about the criminal justice system’s response to the sexual victimization of minors, especially regarding offenses committed by educators. This study is based on qualitative and quantitative analyses of sentencing verdicts (N = 238) issued between 2013 and 2024 by South Korean courts for educators found guilty of child sexual abuse. While examining the role of institutional and sociocultural factors that contribute to CSA in educational settings, this exploratory study will focus on the impact of various case details (e.g., victim and offender characteristics; circumstances of the offense; offense types, etc.) on variations in sentencing outcomes. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that facilitate CSA by educators (including private tutors), this study aims to enhance prevention and intervention approaches tailored to the unique challenges faced by South Korean students in public schools and private academies (hagwon). The study’s implications for child protection policies and practices designed to foster safer educational environments in South Korea will also be discussed.

Authors

• Leah Shon, St. John Fisher University

• Viviana Andreescu, University of Louisville