ID :
196794
Sun, 07/24/2011 - 06:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/196794
The shortlink copeid
Sex offenses among male soldiers happen once every week: data
SEOUL, July 24 (Yonhap) -- Sex offenses among male soldiers happened once every week on average in the South Korean military between 2009 and last year, but offenders got away with light punishment, data obtained from the defense ministry showed Sunday.
Seventy-one cases of sex offenses were reported between January 2009 and June 2010 in which male soldiers were accused of sexual crimes against their male peers, according to the ministry data released by a civic group working to promote soldiers' rights.
Nearly half of the accused, or 34 alleged offenders, were not even indicted. Seven others had their sentences suspended, 16 offenders were sentenced to suspended terms and only five received real prison sentences, the data showed.
"It is highly likely that victims were pressured to reach agreement with offenders or drop their complaints," an official with the rights group said. "Even if such cases are taken to court, offenders are often only lightly punished."
A lawyer, who served as a military legal officer, said that the actual number of sex offenses in the barracks is much higher as such cases are often papered over with unofficial punishment of offenders.
Sex offenses among soldiers account for 21 percent of the total sex crimes by soldiers. The total sex offenses by soldiers, including those against civilians, numbered 336, about 18 cases a month on average.
Seventy-one cases of sex offenses were reported between January 2009 and June 2010 in which male soldiers were accused of sexual crimes against their male peers, according to the ministry data released by a civic group working to promote soldiers' rights.
Nearly half of the accused, or 34 alleged offenders, were not even indicted. Seven others had their sentences suspended, 16 offenders were sentenced to suspended terms and only five received real prison sentences, the data showed.
"It is highly likely that victims were pressured to reach agreement with offenders or drop their complaints," an official with the rights group said. "Even if such cases are taken to court, offenders are often only lightly punished."
A lawyer, who served as a military legal officer, said that the actual number of sex offenses in the barracks is much higher as such cases are often papered over with unofficial punishment of offenders.
Sex offenses among soldiers account for 21 percent of the total sex crimes by soldiers. The total sex offenses by soldiers, including those against civilians, numbered 336, about 18 cases a month on average.
