Reporting child abuse

You can report without being certain. Assessment is the investigating body's job.

What counts as abuse

• Physical abuse — hitting, shoving, causing burns or injuries.
• Emotional abuse — threats, humiliation, neglect, making a child witness domestic violence.
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect — withholding food, medical care or education, or leaving a child alone for long periods.

Physical punishment in the name of discipline can also be abuse.

How to report

1. Call 112. Reports are taken around the clock.
2. If a child is in danger, report immediately.
3. Say what you know — when, where and what is happening.
4. The reporter's identity is protected by law.
5. The investigating body checks and takes the necessary steps.

What happens next

• A site investigation and a check on the child's safety
• Separation and protection (a shelter) if needed
• Counselling or education orders for the parents
• Criminal proceedings in serious cases

Where to go

• 112 child abuse reports (24 hours)
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• 1577-1391 child protection agency information
• 1577-1366 Danuri Call Centre (multilingual)
• 1345 interpretation support

Questions people ask

Can I report if I'm not sure? Yes. Suspicion is enough. Specialists make the assessment. The child's safety comes first.

Will reporting cause trouble for me? The reporter's identity is protected. Neighbours, teachers, medical staff — anyone can report.

This is about my own family. I want help. Get counselling first. 1577-1366, family centres and 129 are the way in. Support, rather than punishment, is often the response. See parenting-education.

My child says they were hit at school. You can tell both the school and 112. Record injuries with photographs and a medical certificate.

Take care

Don't dismiss it as "someone else's family business". Children rarely ask for help themselves. Equally, if you as a parent are struggling, seek counselling before it becomes abuse. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of.

Related

parenting-education · elder-abuse-report · dv-shelter · mediation-family · psychological-child

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare, National Center for the Rights of the Child www.ncrc.or.kr / As of 2026-08