Japan Press Weekly

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2016 May 11 - 17 [SOCIAL ISSUES]

Bill to help victims of sexual violence submitted to Diet

The Japanese Communist Party and four other parties, including the Democratic, Social Democratic, and People’s Life parties, on May 12 jointly submitted a bill to the House of Representatives to support and protect victims of sexual assaults.

The bill broadly defines “violence, words, and deeds which sexually victimize others” as sexual violence.

The bill obliges the central and local governments to work to formulate a basic plan to give assistance to victims. The bill also stipulates that the number of “one-stop” service centers where victims can receive comprehensive support services in one location will be increased from the current 27 in the country to at least one facility in all 47 prefectures. Under the bill, a network and an expert council will be established to support people affected by rape, sexual molestation, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.

At a press conference held after the submission of the bill, JCP Dietmember Ikeuchi Saori said, “I’d like to convey the message ‘It’s not your fault. You are not alone’ to the victims of sexual violence and crimes.”

Saito Kazuko, also a JCP member of the Lower House, said that victims of sexual violence, unlike any other crimes, cannot easily contact anyone to consult with and that some of them sometimes are driven to commit suicide. Saito pointed to the need for an increase in the number of one-stop service centers.

Past related articles:
> Civil groups working to help and support sexual assault victims hold rally to discuss necessary legal framework [February 4, 2016]
> Symposium on elimination of sexual violence held in Okinawa [November 8, 2015]