The number of children aged 13 and under who sought help for domestic violence increased dramatically in 2014 from the year before, according to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.

According to the ministry, the number of children who visited the state-run Sunflower Center ― a shelter for women and children with 34 branches nationwide ― for domestic violence increased by 131.7 percent last year from 2013.

Also, children accounted for 10.7 percent of a total of 5,571 domestic violence victims admitted to the shelters in 2013.

Meanwhile, a total of 20,693 people visited the shelters for help after experiencing sexual violence last year. Among them, 94.8 percent were women and the rest men.

Among the sexual violence victims admitted to the shelters, the number of female children aged 13 and under increased by 8.7 percent from the year before. The number of young male children also increased by 28.8 percent last year from 2013.

In total, 28,487 people received care at the shelters nationwide last year. Among them, 74.6 percent sought help for sexual violence, while 19.4 percent visited the shelters for domestic violence.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)