Korean Version of the Notification Policy on Sexual Offenders: Did It Enhance Public Awareness of Sexual Crimes Against Minors?

Abstract

This study reviewed the public notification policy of sexual offenders against minors in South Korea as compared to community notification programs in the United States. The study then examined the policy's impact on increasing the general public's awareness of such sexual crimes. This is based on the assumption that heightening public awareness can be a starting point in combating such crimes. Results of the data, drawn from a sample of 1,409 Koreans across the nation, showed that the notification policy enhanced public awareness. Factors related to this increase in awareness were people's concern about or familiarity with the policy and people's experience in identifying the existence of known sexual offenders in their communities. Based on the results of this study, strategies for enhancing public awareness of sexual crimes on minors were formulated. The need to develop treatment programs for sexual offenders was likewise highlighted.

Assessment of Sex Offender Notification Policy in the United States: Has the Policy Been Working?

“…The PCYSA is operated by the Ministry of Women and Family while the SASVO is managed by the Ministry of Justice. Not only some researchers suggest that these two ministrations are unnecessary, but also similar concerns regarding the policies of the United States are emerging: 1) violation of equity of law (other dangerous crime offenders are not notified), 2) violation of human rights, and 3) ineffectiveness of the policies (Lee, 2011;Shin & Lee, 2005).…”

The impact of community notification on the management of sex offenders in the community: An Australian perspective

“…The information that is published on official websites varies from state to state, but may include an offender’s name, their date of birth, residential address, place of employment, drivers license number, a description of their motor vehicle including the license plate number, details of past convictions, a physical description, and a photograph (Tewksbury & Jennings, 2010; Thompson & Greek, 2010). Similar information is published on a website maintained by the South Korean government (Shin & Lee, 2005). However, in contrast to the US, where information is typically released on an ad hoc basis, in South Korea, information is released biannually and only remains on the website for a 6-month period (Shin & Lee, 2005).…”

“…Similar information is published on a website maintained by the South Korean government (Shin & Lee, 2005). However, in contrast to the US, where information is typically released on an ad hoc basis, in South Korea, information is released biannually and only remains on the website for a 6-month period (Shin & Lee, 2005). There is considerable variability throughout the US with respect to the period of time information about an offender is to remain on the website, but lifetime registration appears to be increasingly common (Appelbaum, 2008; Logan, 2011).…”

Probation in the Republic of Korea: A compressed journey to public protection

“…In 2000, law enforcement agencies detailed a 60 per cent rise in reported sexual crimes in five years. Rape of minors under 13 years of age actually doubled in two years between 1998 and 2000, comprising 40 per cent of all crime victims (Shin and Lee, 2005). This growing perception of crime as a social problem has had a resonance with the public and accompanied demands for urgent action from government, criminal justice agencies and sentencers.…”