According to the data compiled by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, a total of 90,197 women accessed municipal counseling centers after suffering domestic or sexual violence in 2010, up from 40,208 in 2005.
Among them, those asking for help after falling victim to domestic violence numbered 60,608 in 2010, jumping more than sevenfold in five years, while the number of counseling cases for sexual violence rose to 23,956 from 19,065, the data showed.
"The increased number of women seeking the city`s counseling services is attributed to our efforts to promote the country`s hotline for female victims as well as campaigns to raise awareness," a city official said.
However, the number of such centers in the city reserved for female victims of violence has decreased since 2007 to reach 62 in 2010, while only 20 receive government support, according to the city.
"We have suffered from a lack of financial resources for helping victimized women," an official of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family said, without elaborating further.
"We will objectively choose counseling centers for female violence victims for efficient management with limited resources, while cooperating with private organizations to extend help for those in need," he added.
(A045/H-AK)
Editor: Ella Syafputri
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
