Japan Child Abuse Cases Hit Record High in 2023

Tokyo, March 28 (Jiji Press)--The number of children referred to child consultation centers by Japanese police over suspected abuse against them hit a record high in 2023, National Police Agency data showed Thursday. 
 

The total of such children aged below 18 rose 6.1 pct from the previous year to 122,806, topping 120,000 for the first time on record.
 

The number of child abuse cases that led to arrests or other police actions climbed 9.4 pct to 2,385, and that of victims in the cases increased by 201 to 2,415, both hitting record highs.
 

Of the children referred to child consultation centers, 90,761, or 73.9 pct, were allegedly abused psychologically. Of them, about 60 pct witnessed domestic violence. In many cases, police reported to centers when they found children at the site of domestic violence.
 

Assault and other physical abuse cases reported by police numbered 21,520.
 

Of the total cases that led to arrests or other police actions, physical abuse cases accounted for about 80 pct, at 1,903. There were 372 sexual abuse cases and 45 neglect cases.
 

Psychological abuse cases numbered 65, accounting for only 2.7 pct of the total. Over 70 pct of the psychological abuse cases involved threatening with weapons and other acts violating the law concerning punishment of physical violence and others.
 

Some victims were forced to stand or sit on their heels for long hours outdoors. None of the cases involving children witnessing domestic violence led to an arrest or other enforcement action.
 

The number of children who died due to abuse, including those killed just after birth or in murder-suicide, sank to a record low of 28. The NPA attributed the result partly to closer cooperation between police and other institutions.
 

The offenders included 1,068 biological fathers, the largest group, as well as 650 biological mothers and 390 foster fathers and stepfathers.
 

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