Security News > 2021 > June > South Korea has a huge problem with digital sex crimes against women says Human Rights Watch
International non-governmental organisation Human Rights Watch released a report Wednesday describing digital sex crime in South Korea as rampant and pervasive, with the nation leading the world in use of spycams to capture women in vulnerable moments.
The 105-page report, [PDF] authored by Heather Barr, is based on interviews with 38 women and an online survey.
It details gender-based violence conducted online in Korea, most of which target target women and girls using digital images, often captured and/or shared without consent.
The report claims that the problem is often dismissed by the police, prosecutors, judges and legislators because it takes place only digitally and not physically, and is therefore seen as not doing that much harm, but it is deeply shameful for some women in conservative Korea.
Barr explained to The Register that online videos have the potential to follow these women for the rest of their lives - through their careers and relationships.
The South Korean government passed legislation to expand the range of acts punishable as digital sex crimes and toughen penalties following six protests in 2018 that addressed the matter.