ABSTRACT
The past three decades have seen a five-fold increase in the total number of crimes taking place in Korea. Since 1990, there has been a steady increase in the rate of violent crimes and in the decade from 1990 to 1999, the overall crime rate in Korea increased 1.5 times (Joo 2003). As crime has increased, so too have the number of victims suffering from serious physical injuries as well as mental illnesses such as anxiety, depressive disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In addition to this, victims of crime often had to deal with rather complicated legal and financial issues related to the crime. However, because of the deep-rooted cultural beliefs and traditions in Korea, particularly in relation to gender equality and the status of women in society, many victims of violent crimes have been neglected and ignored. This is particularly the case for victims of sexual and domestic crimes.
