Filling a Void – The JSA
“I feel far safer in Korea than I do in my own country.” I’ve often heard this statement said by foreigners in Korea. But does this renewed sense of safety make expats a more vulnerable target for crime? As Nancy Harcar, joint founder of the JSA (Jeolla Safety Alliance) highlights, “We’re foreigners, we stand out.” And while we generally enjoy a favourable interaction with the Korean community because of this fact, it can sometimes attract unwanted attention.
The JSA was set up in response to an incident in October 2012 in which a foreign teacher was allegedly raped by a taxi driver here in Gwangju. This incident acted as a catalyst for some intense debates about the safety of expats here in Korea and the formation of the alliance is one of the positive outcomes to emerge. The alliance fundamentally aims to provide research about the prevention of crime, as well as to assist those who have been victims of crime here in Gwangju.
Primarily, the alliance encourages people to remain alert and aware. Korea is not without crime; therefore it is necessary to take safety precautions similar to those that would be taken in any other country. The JSA promotes awareness in various ways. For example, they give notifications about self-defense classes in the city, and in the future, they plan to provide people with safety-related protection in the form of whistles and methods of how to carry them and to invite people to attend public seminars with speakers from around the country. They also encourage people to use the JSA Facebook group as a medium for sharing useful information about anything else safety-related. Harcar was very keen to emphasise that, although the alliance was set up in response to an attack on a woman, the JSA represents all people. “All foreigners incur a certain level of danger just by being in a foreign country and we are here to help everyone.”
While these preventative measures are fundamental to the JSA, equally important is the help they provide those who have been victim to crime, Harcar added. “When you’re living in a foreign country, you’re away from home and a support system. A lot of times you don’t know where to go for information.” The alliance is currently in the early stages of forming what they hope will become an extensive resource of information for victims of crime about where to go and who to contact for assistance. While this information is currently available to foreigners, it needs to be compiled and verified to ensure its reliability and accessibility. This is the service that JSA provides.
The JSA is very keen to work alongside local officials and is currently in the process of forging positive connections with the police and media in the city. The alliance believes that the expat and Korean communities can work together on crime-related issues in a manner that will benefit everyone. For example, Harcar said, “When a bulletin is released about a crime committed towards a foreigner, they can send it to us and we can post it on our site in English to spread the word and make people aware.” The JSA have also been communicating with a local English-speaking lawyer who has provided extensive information about Korean laws, expat rights and ways in which, as foreigners, we can remain culturally-sensitive while still prioritizing our safety.
Gwangju is a large and sprawling city, and the JSA is currently very focused on finding people who are willing to volunteer as representatives for their local areas. This person or group would become the first point of contact for any safety issues within their neighbourhood. Ultimately, the JSA’s aim is to have a number of representatives around the city who have access to extensive information regarding the services available to victims. With this information immediately accessible, the JSA hopes to increase the efficiency of the legal process and reduce the stress that a victim would usually incur while trying to navigate these services in a foreign country. Harcar said ”We are looking to build a bigger network of connected people so that more people are involved in a more streamlined way.”
Fundraising is another important aspect of the JSA, since many of the plans the alliance is keen on implementing require funding. One such plan is to provide the fee for a victim’s first consultation with an English-speaking lawyer so that he or she can better understand their rights. The JSA also plans to establish a system whereby they can contribute to any medical bills and travel expenses a victim may incur.
As expats living a long way from home, we can be very encouraged and comforted by the progress of the JSA. It has primarily been established as a means for foreigners to help each other to stay safe, as well as to provide a strong network of support and practical help for those who need it. While the alliance is still in its early stages of development, it has already established a strong foundation on which to implement its plans for the future.