crime

Record-high 384 child abuse cases reported in 2011

25 Comments

The number of reported child abuse cases in 2011 was a record 384, including 39 deaths, the National Police Agency said in a report. Of the 39 fatalities, 10 were infants younger than one year old.

The NPA said the number of abuse cases was 32 more than in 2010, but acknowledged the number could be greater as many cases most likely went undetected, NTV reported. In most cases, the child abuse was reported to police by hospitals after one or both parents sought treatment for their child.

The NPA said sexual abuse accounted for 96 of the cases. Other forms of abuse documented by the NPA included "neglect," in which 17 children were not fed by their parents, and abandonment after birth, NTV reported.

Of the assailants charged by police, 33% were the children's natural fathers, 20% were stepfathers and 29% were the mothers, the NPA said.

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In most cases, the child abuse was reported to police by hospitals after one or both parents sought treatment for their child.

Then the true number has got to be at least ten or twenty times the reported amount, if the criteria for acknowledged child abuse is for the parents to abuse the child and then take them to the hospital.

but acknowledged the number could be greater

ya think?

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In most cases, the child abuse was reported to police by hospitals after one or both parents sought treatment for their child.

In other words, they are basically only catching the worst cases of abuse (and probably only some of those), where the child has already been injured bad enough to necessitate a trip to the hospital. The actual number is likely way way more that. Usually it seems the police and/or child protective services KNOW of the abuse already but it continues anyway...until the child ends up at the hospital.

Other than doctors reporting suspected abuse, what are other authorities doing to protect children? Not much. They are still reluctant to get involved in 'family affairs' and parents rights still count more than the child's. Measures to prevent child abuse could be put in place too. How about more birth control, better educated parents, and trips to see children who are at risk?

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this crime section japan today...has 3 outta 5 highlighted stories with child abuse.

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It appears the headline may be incorrect. At the end of the story it talks about the number of people charged by police. Maybe the headline should be 'Record-high 384 child abuse cases charged by Police'. Most likely the vast majority that are reported are not "charged by police".

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Of the assailants charged by police, 33% were the children’s natural fathers, 20% were stepfathers and 29% were the mothers, the NPA said.

I wonder how many were the mother's boyfriend

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This number, despite being a "record" is still incredibly low in comparison to other western nations. Scarily low in fact. In a nation of 120000000 people, only one case of child abuse a day is astonishing.

I wonder how many were the mother's boyfriend

Well, according to this, less than 18%. And of that 18% you still have neighbours, grandparents and other relatives to include.

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According to my data, in 2006 alone 児童相談所 (Jidousoudansho) had 37,323 cases of child abuse complaints.

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If leaving toddlers home alone and punishing children by sending them outside in thin pajamas in the winter was actually considered to be abuse and neglect, there might be a lot more reported cases.

Let us not forget not having them sit in child seats and letting them bounce around like ping-pong balls instead.

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Who were the other 18% the police charged, Teachers, Babysitters, Grandparents?

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Sickening.

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I am wondering if the amount of cases reported has been noted correctly.

According to figures from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare cases of reported child abuse have quadrupled over the last ten years. In 2000, 17,725 cases were reported. In 2009, 44,211 were reported.

The figure is incorrect or infact, there's been an incredibly steep decrease in reported child abuse cases here.

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Does anyone know if cases where parent(s) leave kids at home who subsequently die in fires or fall off balconies are recorded as child abuse/ neglect deaths?

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If Samantha is right, then something is extremely wrong with this article. There's no way you could call 384 cases a "record high" if 44,211 were reported in 2009. JT, is there any way you can double check the figures (other than to just parrot what the NPA said?)

Moderator: The story is correct.

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One other thought... is it possible that the 44,211 number is the total number of cases SINCE 2000? An aggregate figure rather than an annual one?

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very sad

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No mercy for anyone who harms a child

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384? In a country of 127 million? Surely just the tip of the iceberg?

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@Fadamor~ Reported child abuse cases in 2011 totaled 55,152. An increase of 10,941 from the previous fiscal year. This again, is from The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. It reflects the total number of reported cases in that fiscal year. It isn't an aggregated number.

This information was reported in many different tabloids and respected broadsheets alike. The Guardian, BBC, CNN, U.P.I and Yomiuri Shinbun. If you take a glance on the 'crc-japan' site (Rainbow House) there is a breakdown of the types of abuse and interviews with Welfare Officers who work daily with abuse cases.

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I am wondering if the NPA's number reflects the actual number of cases that were prosecuted. The NPA is seperate body from The Ministry of health,Labor and Welfare.

Moderators~ Can you shed any light on this please?

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@Wurthington~ Thank you! That is the point I have been trying to make. Child abuse is becoming a huge problem in the world and Japan unfortunately, hasn't been overlooked.

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If leaving toddlers home alone and punishing children by sending them outside in thin pajamas in the winter was actually considered to be abuse and neglect, there might be a lot more reported cases.

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Defining child abuse in Japan is difficult. After all, children are not loved in Japan. Just tolerated! Which is abuse in itself!

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How many went unreported? A heck of a lot more.

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When I lived in Good 'ol Saiama, on a quiet Monday night after midnight, The apato neighbour decided to beat the bejesus out of the Mrs & very small kids, including the kids flying bodies hitting the wall at head height.

We called the cops.

They turned up an hour later and guess what their reaction was.....

......let's arrest the Gaijin for disturbing the Wa.......without even knocking on the victim/perpetrator's door.

My Japanese wife was in amazement, and it took her Dad getting on the phone at 2 am for ME to escape punishment.

To claim 'their MAY be more cases out there' is dispicable...

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