25.10.01.Today News : Yeongju High School Girl Dies After Sexual Assault and Abuse

Yeongju High School Girl Dies After Sexual Assault and Abuse — School’s Negligence Under Fire

📍Despite repeated sexual assaults and cigarette burn abuse, the school failed to separate the victim from her attacker and allegedly subjected her to secondary victimization, leading to her tragic death.

A shocking tragedy at a vocational high school in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, has sparked nationwide outrage. A young female student, subjected to relentless abuse and sexual assault by a male classmate, received little protection from her school. Instead, the school’s inaction and alleged secondary victimization left her with no choice but to take her own life.

A high school girl in Yeongju who suffered sexual assault and abuse took her own life amid the school's irresponsible response and secondary victimization.

---

■ Cigarette Burns and Sexual Violence: The Beginning of Abuse
The victim, referred to as Student A, began boarding school life earlier this year but soon faced torment. Her classmate, Student B, began physically and sexually abusing her. Circular burn marks later revealed to be cigarette burns appeared on her shoulder. B coerced her by saying, “I want my mark on your body,” and pressured her until she finally gave in.

B’s abuse escalated. Expelled from the dormitory for misconduct, he frequently summoned A to motels, coercing her into sexual acts. Despite her clear refusal, he raped her. A’s friend testified, “She said no, but he forced himself on her. Afterwards, he lied to others, claiming she consented.”

■ School’s Inaction and a Sham Investigation
The case reached the School Violence Committee, but the response was inadequate. B denied coercion, claiming A consented. The committee imposed only a written apology, 10-day suspension, and 6 hours of special education. Crucially, no separation measures were taken.

As a result, A was forced to continue daily interactions with her attacker — sharing classes, meals, and school activities. When she voiced her discomfort, the school responded dismissively: “Then eat later.” She was further stigmatized as a “problem student” and suspended from student council activities.

■ Despair and Tragic End
A confided in her mother, saying, “Why do I have to go through this when I am the victim?” Yet her cries went unheard. Just two weeks after the committee’s ruling, A ended her life.

Her grieving family has since revealed her story on JTBC’s Case Room, accusing both the perpetrator and the school of neglect and secondary abuse. A’s mother has staged a one-person protest outside the school, demanding justice for her daughter.

■ Legal Battle and Wider Implications
The victim’s family has filed criminal charges against B for assault and sexual violence, while also pursuing legal action against the school for dereliction of duty. The school has denied any cover-up, claiming the matter is “under investigation.”

This case highlights systemic failures in protecting victims of school violence. It underscores how negligence and inadequate measures by schools can perpetuate abuse, leading to devastating outcomes.

One-line summary : A high school girl in Yeongju took her own life after enduring sexual assault, abuse, and her school’s negligent response, sparking nationwide outrage.