Forced to call him 'Dad': Trial over sexual abuse in disabled care home shocks South Korea

According to the BBC, a trial has commenced in South Korea concerning the systemic sexual abuse of residents at a care facility for the disabled. The case centers on allegations against a staff member who reportedly coerced vulnerable residents into abusive situations, with victims describing being forced to refer to their abuser as 'Dad' as part of a pattern of psychological and physical manipulation.

The BBC spoke with one of three primary residents who have come forward to testify against the staff member. The accounts provided by the survivors highlight significant failures in oversight and protection within the care home system, sparking a broader national conversation regarding the safety and dignity of disabled individuals living in residential facilities. The testimony details a harrowing environment where the power imbalance was exploited to facilitate ongoing abuse.

Legal proceedings are currently underway to determine the extent of the staff member's culpability and to address the systemic lapses that allowed such abuse to persist undetected. The case has shocked the South Korean public, leading to increased calls for stricter regulations, more frequent inspections of care facilities, and enhanced protections for residents with disabilities. Authorities are expected to continue the trial as they evaluate the evidence presented by the victims and the defense.