USPC hosts Training of Trainers webinar on combating technology-facilitated gender-based violence with Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, sharing experiences of the Korean Police

May 30, 2024

As part of the Police Capacity Building Support Programme for Combating Gender-based Violence (GBV) in the Digital Sphere project, funded by the Korean National Police Agency (KNPA), UNDP Seoul Policy Centre jointly organized a three-day Training of Trainers (ToT) webinar with UNDP Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia from 28 to 30 May 2024. This is the first part of a ToT series on combating technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV) that USPC is organizing with Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia this year. The second part will be delivered in person in each of the two countries in August 2024. The training shared knowledge on the Republic of Korea (ROK)’s institutional reform and police capacity building to effectively address TF GBV.

Day 1: ROK's legal and systematic response to combat digital sex crime

Kickstarting the three-day webinar, Youngchan Kim, Governance and Gender Team Lead at UNDP Seoul Policy Centre welcomed the police officers from Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia who joined this webinar and expressed gratitude for KNPA’s generous financial and technical support to the ‘Police Capacity Building Support Programme for Combatting Gender-based Violence in the Digital Sphere’ project.

Sungnam Jung, Professor at the Korean Police Investigation Academy’s Women and Juvenile Affairs Division, presented on the institutional reforms that took place in the ROK in response to the changing social awareness of TF GBV. He highlighted the key achievements and future strategies, noting that the ROK’s ‘Nth Room’ case significantly raised public awareness of TF GBV, leading to legislative and institutional improvements in investigations.

Mr. Jung detailed the victim-centred support measures provided by KNPA, emphasizing the unique characteristics of TF GBV, and concluded with suggestions for future improvements. He further elaborated on the investigative methods and the mechanisms for victim protection, stressing the importance of inter-agency cooperation and collaboration with civil society to prevent future crimes.

Day 2: Police capacity building against technology-facilitated gender-based violence

On the second day, Yun-Cheng Chang, Senior Inspector and Team Lead in the Investigation and Legal Support Team of the Gyeonggi Northeastern Sunflower Center, presented on the changes in the educational paradigm of police capacity building, analysed the training models at KNPA, and shared useful resources to raise public awareness about TF GBV.

Ms. Chang emphasized the importance of standardization and high-quality training. She highlighted programmes centred on cultivating professional instructors, training new investigators, and enhancing investigative skills through on-the-job training. Key points included enhancing police capacity through peer exchange of investigation techniques, interagency collaboration, and outsourced training by private IT companies. She also noted the KNPA’s swift development and distribution of training materials as well as the implementation of both digital and in-person training methods.

Ms. Chang also introduced public awareness campaigns and educational platforms to inform the community and stakeholders about the dangers and prevention of TF GBV. She underscored the preventative role of educational platforms through public institutions, complimentary classes, and cultural content distributed via mass media. She also addressed the challenges in investigation, such as evolving criminal techniques and the need for specialized cyber investigation capabilities. Finally, she asserted that sustainable and quality police capacity building is essential to overcoming these challenges.

Day 3: Action plans drafted and presented through group activity

a group of people sitting at a desk in a room

On the final day, each country presented its action plans based on the insights gained from the KNPA over the past two days. Participants exchanged ideas to tailor their existing curricula to local contexts and capacities.

Indonesia outlined a comprehensive 10-day training programme consisting of theory and practical exercises. This programme includes pre/post evaluations and covers legal frameworks, strategic planning, victim-centred approaches, documentation, cyber and forensic techniques, and simulations to internalize practices. It also emphasized the importance of cooperation with external partners.

Côte d’Ivoire's plan centres on implementing an educational programme to raise public awareness of TF GBV, targeting approximately 10,000 people across 15 cities. This initiative specifically aims to address crimes committed against women and children, educating the public on the concept of TF GBV and ways to protect themselves in cyberspace.

The three-day ToT closed with encouragements for follow-up based on the detailed and enthusiastic action plans.

* UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) shares Korea’s tested-and-proven policy tools with other countries through SDG Partnerships. SDG Partnerships provide a combination of support, including partnership development with Korean institutions, seed funding, technical assistance, and policy advisory services. It utilizes UNDP’s global network of country offices and the policy expertise and know-how of partner organizations.