Measures to strengthen police response to stalking crimes

Stalking is a crime that seriously threatens the physical and mental safety of victims, and has the characteristics of being repeated and gradually worsening. This study analyzed the current status and limitations of police responses to stalking crimes through representative cases such as the Sindang Station employee murder case, Incheon Nonhyeon-dong murder case, and Gumi apartment murder case. Major problems were identified as insufficient initial response, lack of effectiveness of restraining orders, lack of victim protection programs, lack of police expertise, and lack of a system to prevent recurrence of perpetrators. The current Stalking Punishment Act provides a basic framework for victim protection and perpetrator sanctions, but it does not sufficiently prevent situations in which victims are continuously exposed to danger even after the incident occurs. This study proposed measures to strengthen police response to improve these problems. First, it proposed establishing a system to evaluate psychological risk by police officers at the scene in the early stages of the incident and ‘detention in a detention center, etc.’ separately from criminal punishment to increase the effectiveness of restraining orders. In addition, it is necessary to implement various victim protection programs, introduce a victim protection order system, and strengthen education to enhance the expertise of police officers. Lastly, we need to strengthen education to prevent recurrence of perpetrators and establish a cooperative system between relevant periods. When these countermeasures are effectively implemented, it is expected that victims will be able to receive substantial protection from stalking crimes and the reliability of police response will be enhanced.