Report on Escalating School Violence and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Executive Summary

An analysis of data from the Ministry of Education and the National Police Agency reveals a significant escalation in reported school violence incidents between 2020 and 2024. The findings indicate a more than twofold increase in overall cases, with a notable shift towards sexual and cyber-based abuse. This trend presents a direct challenge to the achievement of several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning quality education, gender equality, and peace and justice.

• Total reported cases of school violence surged from 25,903 in 2020 to 58,502 in 2024.
• In 2024, cases of sexual violence and cyber violence reached 4,588 and 4,534, respectively.
• The number of cases requiring intervention by official school violence committees tripled from 8,357 in 2020 to 27,835 in 2024.
• Litigation related to school violence decisions has more than doubled since 2021, indicating growing challenges to institutional resolutions.

2.0 Impact on SDG 4: Quality Education

The rise in school violence directly undermines SDG Target 4.a, which calls for building and upgrading education facilities to provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all. The data indicates a deterioration of safety within educational settings, compromising the core objective of quality education.

2.1 Evolving Nature of Violence

A critical trend is the transition from physical abuse to emotional and digital forms of violence. This evolution presents new challenges for ensuring student safety and well-being.

• Physical violence by teens decreased from 1,586 cases in 2015 to 1,286 in 2024.
• In contrast, sexual crimes utilizing deepfake technology increased from 192 to 709 cases in the same period.
• This shift requires updated strategies and policies to protect students in both physical and online environments, a prerequisite for a quality learning environment as envisioned by SDG 4.

3.0 Setbacks for SDG 5: Gender Equality

The sharp increase in specific forms of violence highlights significant setbacks for SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The data shows a disproportionate rise in gender-based violence among students.

1. Dating Violence: Police investigations for teen dating violence increased from 280 cases in 2020 to 626 in 2024, signaling a failure to protect young people from intimate partner violence, a key component of SDG Target 5.2 (Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls).
2. Sexual Crimes: The growing number of students accused of sex and relationship crimes, including the use of deepfake technology, points to an urgent need to address harmful gender norms and protect students from sexual exploitation, in line with SDG 5.

4.0 Challenges to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The escalating violence and the corresponding institutional response reflect challenges related to SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies and calls for effective, accountable institutions. The data suggests a growing strain on, and diminishing trust in, the systems designed to protect children and administer justice.

4.1 Institutional Overload and Distrust

• The tripling of cases referred to official committees demonstrates that the severity of violence is increasing, overwhelming established protocols.
• A concurrent rise in litigation from both alleged perpetrators (202 to 444 cases) and victims (53 to 96 cases) between 2021 and 2024 suggests a lack of confidence in the fairness and effectiveness of the authorities’ decisions. This undermines SDG Target 16.6 (Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions).
• The overall increase in violence against students is a direct contradiction of SDG Target 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children).

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article’s core focus is on the significant increase in various forms of violence (physical, sexual, cyber, dating) among students. This directly relates to the goal of reducing violence and promoting justice. The involvement of school committees, police, and administrative courts highlights the role of institutions in addressing these issues.
2. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The prevalence of violence within the school system fundamentally undermines the creation of a safe and effective learning environment, which is a prerequisite for quality education. The article shows that schools are becoming less safe, impacting students’ well-being and ability to learn.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article specifically mentions sexual violence, dating violence, and sexual crimes using deepfake technology. These forms of violence are often gender-based and disproportionately affect girls and women, connecting the issue directly to the goal of eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article details the doubling of school violence reports and the rise in specific types like sexual, cyber, and dating violence.
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The entire article focuses on violence perpetrated by and against students, who are children and adolescents.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article mentions the increasing number of cases handled by official school violence committees and the rise in litigation, indicating a growing reliance on and challenge to the justice system for these matters.
2. Under SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The surge in school violence reports directly contradicts the objective of providing a “safe, non-violent” learning environment.
3. Under SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The specific mention of increased sexual violence and dating violence among teens directly aligns with this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 16 (Targets 16.1, 16.2, 16.3)
   • Total number of school violence reports (58,502 in 2024).
   • Number of reported cases of sexual violence (4,588 in 2024).
   • Number of reported cases of cyber violence (4,534 in 2024).
   • Number of teens investigated for dating violence (626).
   • Number of cases of sexual crimes using deepfake technology (709).
   • Number of school violence cases deliberated by official committees (27,835 in 2024).
   • Number of lawsuits filed related to school violence decisions (444 by perpetrators, 96 by victims).
2. Indicators for SDG 4 (Target 4.a)
   • The trend in the total number of school violence reports (increasing from 25,903 in 2020 to 58,502 in 2024) serves as a direct negative indicator for the safety of learning environments.
3. Indicators for SDG 5 (Target 5.2)
   • The number of reported cases of sexual violence among students (4,588).
   • The number of teens subject to police investigation for dating violence (626).
   • The number of sexual crimes using deepfake technology (709).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: koreaherald.com