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November is child abuse prevention month

By on September 28, 2010
Photo © Elena Derevtsova
 
What would you do if you regularly heard your neighbor’s child screaming in distress?  How would you respond if you noticed that your child’s friend often had unexplainable bruises?  For a foreigner or a non-Japanese-speaking person, it is very difficult to understand and navigate the Japanese system.  English information on child protection is limited and it is even more challenging to access appropriate resources.  

In order to provide up-to-date information on the child protection system in Japan to the international community, TELL gathered information on laws and amendments and met with government officials in the field of child protection to find out about our obligations if we suspect child abuse, and what services are available for foreigners or non-Japanese- speaking families in need of assistance.

The child protection system is a fairly new concept in Japan.  The Child Abuse Prevention Law was only passed in May of 2000, and is still a work in progress.  Traditionally, child abuse has been treated as a private and individual family matter and outside interference has been discouraged.  Even after the 2000 law passed, making child abuse illegal, Japan continues to adjust to the new concept that child protection is a public and social responsibility.  

Child abuse cases in Japan have risen to a record high, according to government data released in August.  Stories of tragic child abuse suggest that the protection system in Japan has been relatively ineffective in the past.  Although there has been an increase in the government budget and staffing to support the system, it remains under-funded and under-staffed.  Detection and reporting numbers regarding child abuse are still low and the system can still be slow to intervene in response to a report, which can be confusing and frustrating to many of us.  

Despite some existing resistance and lack of support services, there have been continuous efforts made to improve the system during the past ten years by amending the existing laws (mainly in 2004 and 2008) and by increasing the authority of child guidance centers (mandated governmental agencies in charge of child protection) in responding to child abuse cases more efficiently and appropriately.  Compared to ten years ago, the Japanese government and the media are increasingly addressing this topic to promote the awareness on child abuse and to encourage reporting, and more programs and services exist today to support children and families in need of special protection and assistance.     

What is exactly our obligation when we suspect child abuse?  
In Japan, we are all required by law to report suspected cases of child abuse regardless of citizenship or background, and suspicion is all we need to make the report.  However, there is no consequence for not reporting suspected cases of child abuse, which makes the law very difficult to enforce in Japan.  The Japanese government relies on our good faith and concern for children’s welfare, and strongly encourages us to consult or report on any small suspicion that we may have, even when there is no evidence of abuse or neglect.  All reports can be made anonymously, and all reports are kept strictly confidential.

Where do we report and how do we report?  
The official channel for consulting or reporting suspected cases of child abuse is the local child guidance centers that cover the area where the child in question resides.  It is therefore very important to know the address of the child, and the contact information of the appropriate child guidance center can be found by calling the National Child Guidance Network Line (0570-064-000).  Reports can be made by phone, Fax, in writing or by visiting the child guidance center directly, but in Japanese only.  For non-Japanese speakers, translation services can be requested by appointment to the child guidance center, if not we advice to obtain the help of Japanese speakers in making the report in timely manner.

Who is entitled to receive the services of the child guidance center?  
Regardless of citizenship or background, all children under 18 and their families are entitled to services at the child guidance center.  In other words, there is no separate program or facility for non-Japanese speakers, and the foreigners would also go through the regular Japanese channel.  Because the protection of non-Japanese children has been very rare so far, the number of these cases has been limited, and there has not been any specialized and systematic approach to assist the non-Japanese speaking families.  But TELL’s recent contacts with the child guidance centers suggest that some child guidance centers do their best to understand and accommodate these families, and they can be culturally sensitive and flexible in dealing with suspected cases of child abuse that involve non-Japanese speakers.

What happens to the child and to the family after a report is made of suspected child abuse?  
Because of the confidentiality issue, the system is not transparent for individuals making the child abuse report unless the family in question is willing to share that information directly with the reporter.  Nonetheless, there is a procedure that all child guidance centers are supposed to follow, and there are guidelines on investigating and determining cases of child abuse, although the response of child guidance centers may vary.

In order to promote the importance of detecting and preventing child abuse and to encourage people to report concerns about children in need of special care and protection, November was designated as the Child Abuse Prevention Month in Japan, and the Orange Ribbon as the symbol to support these initiatives.  Starting in November, 2004, the Japanese government, in collaboration with its non-profit organization the National Network for Child Abuse Prevention, has been organizing a series of campaigns and events including symposiums, walk-a-thon, parades, concerts, art contests, etc.  Details of the planned activities for this year (such as the Smile Run for Children 2010) can be found at: www.orangeribbon.jp/index.php (in Japanese only), and they are open to the general public.

Recently, TELL translated and summarized information regarding the Japanese child protection system into English in an attempt to assist and guide anybody who has close contact with children and who cares about their safety.  TELL also offers presentations on the child protection system, case consultations, and clinical services to the community.  Please contact TELL for details.

Aska Aoshima is a licensed social worker who provides psychotherapy to children, families and individuals in English, Japanese, French and Spanish.  Aska is TELL’s Coordinator of Child Protection Program.  Come support TELL’s activities by attending TELL’s 15th Annual Connoisseurs’ Auction at the Residence of the Italian Ambassador on Friday, November 5! To learn more about the auction and TELL’s services call (03) 4550 1146 or go to: www.telljp.com

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