영아학대 예방 및 사후관리 개선 방안: 영아 유기를 중심으로

Abstract

The status report and statistics on the protection of children in South Korea indicate that, between 2017 and 2019, excluding baby boxes, over 100 children have been identified as neglected. In June 2023, the Board of Audit and Inspection revealed that out of 2,236 unregistered children, 27.3% (618) were identified as neglected, 10.5% (282) faced parental contact cessation and visit refusal, 3.9% (89) were placed for adoption before birth registration, and 3.2% (72) denied their birth facts. These findings highlight the gravity of the situation, especially regarding infants, as younger age groups are more susceptible to abuse-related deaths, emphasizing the increased severity of negligence in infants.

In response to these issues, this study aims to comprehensively examine the situation of neglect in infants, including cases and related policy and legislative issues, and discuss preventive measures and improvements in post-management. Particularly, the impending abolition of infant homicide in 2023, the implementation of birth notification and protection maternity leave in 2024, pose challenges in identifying and supporting crisis pregnancies, demanding corresponding measures and policy directions.

This research, through literature review and secondary data analysis, explores the age-related differences in child abuse from medical and sociological perspectives and defines the categories and concepts of infant abuse. Additionally, through legal analysis, in-depth interviews, expert surveys, policy seminars, and expert consultations, the study aims to derive improvement measures for preventing infant neglect and enhancing post-management. The results are as follows:

Firstly, within the child protection system, the response system for infant neglect prioritizes adoption, and even after alternative protective measures, in-home care is prioritized. However, South Korea lacks a dedicated response system reflecting the specificity of infant neglect, and efforts for service support to prevent infant neglect are insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for streamlining and detailing the support procedures for neglected children, establishing a separate committee for decision-making, and expediting the adoption process.

Secondly, to prevent infant neglect, a system allowing the state to verify whether basic protection, upbringing, and treatment for infants, including awareness of consciousness, are adequately provided should be established within the "Child Welfare Act." Additionally, there is a need for amendments to the "Single-Parent Family Support Act" to ensure the practical implementation of support systems for single-parent families, considering the importance of psychological stability for caregivers and preventing social isolation due to sole parenting.

Thirdly, the effectiveness of the system based on ensuring the anonymity of birth mothers lacks objective validation. Therefore, before deciding on matters such as the introduction, abolition, or improvement of the anonymous maternity protection system, objective evidence is required, and a system for collecting relevant data needs to be established.

Lastly, in cases of neglected infants, there is a need to strengthen the institutional foundation for post-management. To achieve this, criteria for classifying neglected infants within the child abuse classification system should be established. Through comprehensive data collection for these cases, efficient utilization of resources at both central and local levels can enhance the effectiveness of child-centered policy support. Especially for infants, strengthening support for in-home care is necessary, and considering the potential for disabilities in neglected infants, dedicated facilities and personnel training are also required.