Countermeasures against Child Abuse in the Society with Declining Birth Rate

Matsubara Yasuo

doi:10.4091/iken.27.53

<p>Along with the declining birth rate, Japan has been experiencing a continuous decrease in the number of children. On the other hand, the number of child abuse consultation cases published by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has been growing steadily since the ministry started to collect statistical data. Factors behind this trend include not only the increase in the actual number of child abuse cases but also the changes in the definition of "child abuse" and improvements to systems for detecting and reporting child abuse cases. Child abuse needs be properly dealt with as soon as it is detected.</p><p>A drastic reform was carried out with regard to countermeasures against child abuse by way of the amendments to the Child Welfare Act and other related laws in May 2016. Unlike the gradual amendments that had been made in the past, the recent amendments can be described as radical changes. A symbolic, ideological change is that children, who have been treated as the subject of protection, are now recognized as parties who have rights as prescribed by law, in accordance with the spirit of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The amendments also introduced two noteworthy changes in connection with child rearing support. The Maternal and Child Health Act was amended to enshrine into law Comprehensive Support Centers for Child Rearing （referred to as "Comprehensive Support Center for Maternal and Child Health"）, which are expected to provide seamless support for the period of pregnancy through to the period of child rearing. The other change is the amendment to the Child Welfare Act to introduce a new clause （Article 10-2） providing that municipalities must endeavor to develop support centers. In order to deal with child abuse, it is important to provide seamless support covering support for child rearing as well as intervention and support by public agencies in child abuse cases. With the aim of strengthening public intervention, the amendment has reinforced the functions of child guidance centers. Challenges to be tackled in the future include: facilitating the use of child rearing support programs to prevent child abuse; ensuring early detection of latent child abuse; and strengthening cooperation among related organizations and enhancing the size and expertise of their specialized staff.</p>

Countermeasures against Child Abuse in the Society with Declining Birth Rate

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