This study aims to analyze both the institutional progress and structural limitations of police victim protection policies over the past decade since the declaration of 2015 as the “First Year of Victim Protection,” and to propose future developme...
This study aims to analyze both the institutional progress and structural limitations of police victim protection policies over the past decade since the declaration of 2015 as the “First Year of Victim Protection,” and to propose future developmental directions.
The police victim protection system has undergone significant external advancement through the introduction of ICT-based safety measures, establishment of dedicated victim protection teams, and various legal and institutional improvements. However, in practice, discrepancies between policy goals and implementation have led to an excessive emphasis on administrative and technical tasks rather than psychological recovery and holistic support. Moreover, due to frequent organizational relocations over the past ten years, the victim protection function has struggled to establish a stable professional identity, hindering the accumulation of expertise. High turnover rates among victim-dedicated officers have also contributed to weakened professional competency. In addition, only a limited portion of the Crime Victim Protection Fund is allocated to police, while substantial financial support for victims—such as emergency living expenses, medical care, housing relocation, and funeral support—remains primarily managed by the prosecution, creating structural constraints in providing timely assistance at the police stage.
In response, this study proposes the need to reframe police victim protection policy toward a recovery-oriented, victim-centered approach, emphasizing structural coherence, professional specialization, and timely intervention.