Health ministry revises counseling rules for child-abuse case management

The health ministry had revised child-welfare rules to require local governments to include people designated for child-abuse case management in family-relationship counseling and education programs.

The partially revised rule took effect Aug. 4. The amended Child Welfare Act was promulgated Feb. 3 and took effect Aug. 4. The ministry said the rule sets out matters delegated under the amended law, which was revised to strengthen the child-abuse case-management system.

The category covers people considered to need case management from a welfare perspective in cases a local government head has judged to involve child abuse. It remains distinct from child-abuse perpetrators and their accomplices.

The revision also changes child-card forms used for children under protective measures. Provincial governors and city, county and district heads must prepare and keep the cards when taking protective measures. The updated version applies to children placed under protection after the rule took effect and refers only to unmarried parents, rather than unmarried parents and out-of-wedlock children.

The ministry removed the term, citing social prejudice surrounding a child's birth background.

The ministry said it had also been preparing the formation of a special committee to analyze suspected child-abuse death cases.

"We will continue to improve related systems so that children can grow up healthy and happy in a safe environment," Eun Seong-ho, director general for population and social services policy, said.