Consultations about child abuse have been on the rise. It is necessary to be ready to protect children while also sharing the awareness that child-rearing should be supported by entire communities.
The number of consultations dealt with by child consultation centers nationwide rose to a record high of 193,700 in fiscal 2019, up more than 30,000 from the previous year and 4.4 times the level 10 years ago.
The increase has apparently been prompted by enhanced awareness of child abuse in society, with such parties as the police, schools and neighbors consulting or filing reports with child consultation centers.
Child abuse can be detected early on if cases are reported even when abuse is only suspected, such as children being heard crying or having bruises. It is urgent to strengthen the child consultation centers that receive these consultations and reports.
The government plans for there to be 5,200 child welfare officers -- who are in charge of dealing with cases of child abuse -- in fiscal 2022 by adding 2,000 over five years. However, consultations and reports of abuse have been increasing at a faster pace than initially expected. The government should consider accelerating the schedule or revising the target figure.
Child welfare officers are appointed from among employees of the local governments that run child consultation centers. These positions are filled by officials who are certified as social welfare workers or who studied psychology or education at university and have gained practical experience at their workplace.
As officials are subject to transfer, half of child welfare officers have less than three years of experience at child consultation centers. Consideration should be extended to these facilities, such as assigning experienced officials who can provide instruction and advice to their colleagues. Some local governments have lawyers at child consultation centers to help them deal with difficult cases. This can serve as a good reference for other local governments.
The government is urged to secure the necessary number of child welfare officers, while also focusing on such measures as providing support and training programs to help them develop their expertise, as well as improving working conditions.
In many cases of child abuse, domestic violence is also inflicted on spouses. It has been pointed out that in many cases of domestic violence inflicted in the presence of young children, the children likely not only suffer serious psychological damage, but also become victims of violence themselves.
More than half of the consultations and reports made to child consultation centers were about psychological abuse, such as inflicting domestic violence in the presence of children. These centers should consider the possibility of abuse when handling consultations and reports, and closely work with local governments and private organizations that provide support to victims of domestic violence.
It can also help prevent cases of child abuse from occurring if local governments support pregnant and postpartum women who feel nervous about giving birth and child-rearing, and give them advice. It is hoped that a system will be established in which communities as a whole keep an eye on children, with help from child-rearing support groups and others.
There are concerns that child abuse cases have become more serious because of the stress and economic hardships caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Teachers' visits to students' homes and local events have been canceled, making it difficult to keep an eye on children. Hopefully, any changes in children can be noticed as soon as possible, so that signs of abuse are not overlooked.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Nov. 26, 2020.
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