아동·청소년을 대상으로 한 디지털 성범죄의 실태 및 피해자 지원 방안

Abstract

Digital sex crimes against children and adolescents are being organized and diversified in their types and patterns. The reason is that information and communication technology has evolved rapidly due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The Korean government and local governments have established and operated dedicated organizations to prevent crime and support victims. And efforts are being made to improve related laws and systems. Nevertheless, many limitations are being encountered. Unlike conventional digital sex crimes, the harm and seriousness are further expanding because they are carried out through digital technologies such as SNS, dark web, and messenger apps and online methods. With the emergence of new sex crimes, such as the evolution of criminal methods and the closed use of overseas platforms, many problems have been raised. Despite the fact that there is a legal basis for strictly punishing acts such as producing and distributing child and juvenile sexual exploitation, prostitution and coercion, and dialogue for the purpose of sexual exploitation, unrealistic investigative practices by investigative agencies and light penalties by the judiciary are hindering problem solving. In order to effectively cope with digital sex crimes targeting children and adolescents and to support victims more effectively, the perception of victims by investigative agencies and the judiciary should be improved. There were cases in which not only ordinary citizens, but also investigative agencies and the judiciary were not aware of the seriousness of the crime and rather blamed the victims. In particular, it is necessary to reflect on the lukewarm response due to the police's distorted adulthood. Therefore, it is necessary to develop educational programs for the purpose of improving and reinforcing gender sensitivity, and to prepare a system that mandates completion of education. In addition, in order to revitalize the 'Digital Sexual Crime Victim Support Center', a legal basis for expanding the budget and manpower and regularizing the dedicated manpower must be prepared. Meanwhile, the current seizure and confiscation system should be improved to prevent rapid investigation and re-distribution of damaged videos, and to enable judicial cooperation between countries. In addition, a conservation order system should be introduced to protect victims by securing evidence and preventing re-distribution. Finally, the law should be revised, the period and scope of support should be expanded, and the requirements for support for treatment expenses should be relaxed so that victims can receive economic support quickly and definitively according to clear standards. It is hoped that a more efficient support system for victims will be established and victims can recover to their daily lives as soon as possible by improving members' awareness, efficient operation of dedicated organizations, economic support from the government, and preparing legal grounds through revision of related laws and systems.