Report on Child Abuse Cases in Japan in 2024: Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of Rising Child Abuse Cases

In 2024, the Japanese National Police Agency reported handling a total of 2,649 child abuse cases nationwide, marking a new record. This figure represents an 11.1% increase from the previous year, with 264 additional cases, and more than a threefold rise compared to 822 cases in 2015.

Types and Perpetrators of Abuse

• Injury: 1,029 cases
• Assault: 984 cases
• Indecent assault: 228 cases
• Rape: 162 cases
• Murder: 32 cases
• Attempted murder: 38 cases

The perpetrators were identified as fathers in 46.0% of cases and mothers in 26.2%.

Victims and Fatalities

The number of victims increased by 11.8% to 2,700, another record high. Tragically, 52 children died in 2024, an increase of 24 from the previous year. Among these fatalities, 24 were victims in murder/suicide incidents.

Notifications and Consultations from Child Guidance Centers

Child guidance centers submitted 122,378 notifications to police in 2024, maintaining a level above 120,000 despite a slight decrease from the prior year.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, child guidance centers handled 225,509 consultations in fiscal 2023, a 5.0% increase (10,666 cases) and a new record. The breakdown of abuse types in these consultations is as follows:

1. Psychological abuse: 59.8% (134,948 cases)
2. Physical abuse: 22.9% (51,623 cases)
3. Neglect: 16.2% (36,465 cases)
4. Sexual abuse: 1.1% (2,473 cases)

Perpetrators in these cases were mothers in 48.3%, fathers in 42.3%, and other male relatives in 5.1% of cases.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Addressing child abuse is critical to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all children.
• Increased consultations and notifications indicate enhanced efforts to identify and support victims, contributing to improved mental and physical health outcomes.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• Law enforcement’s increased handling of child abuse cases reflects strengthened institutions committed to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice.
• Collaboration between police and child guidance centers exemplifies institutional efforts to safeguard vulnerable populations.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Understanding the roles of both mothers and fathers as perpetrators highlights the need for gender-sensitive prevention and intervention strategies.
• Promoting gender equality can contribute to reducing domestic violence and abuse within families.

SDG 4: Quality Education

• Raising awareness and education about child abuse prevention are essential components in protecting children and fostering safe environments.
• Data-driven approaches support the development of targeted educational programs for parents and communities.

Conclusion

The rising number of child abuse cases in Japan underscores an urgent need for continued and enhanced efforts aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Strengthening health services, justice systems, gender equality initiatives, and educational programs are vital to protecting children and ensuring their rights and well-being.

Data Sources

Information was translated from Japanese sources and compiled by Pixta.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article discusses child abuse cases, including physical and psychological abuse, injuries, and fatalities, which directly impact children’s health and well-being.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article highlights the role of parents (mothers and fathers) as perpetrators, touching upon issues related to family dynamics and gender roles in abuse cases.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article focuses on child abuse cases handled by police and child guidance centers, emphasizing justice, protection of children, and institutional response to violence.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

1. SDG 3 Targets:
   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 5 Targets:
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spheres, including child abuse.
3. SDG 16 Targets:
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 3:
   • Number of child abuse cases resulting in injury, assault, sexual abuse, and fatalities (including murder and attempted murder).
   • Number of child abuse victims recorded by police and child guidance centers.
2. Indicator for SDG 5:
   • Proportion of child abuse cases by perpetrator gender (mother, father, other relatives), reflecting gender-related violence dynamics.
3. Indicator for SDG 16:
   • Number of child abuse cases handled by police and reported by child guidance centers.
   • Number of consultations handled by child guidance centers categorized by type of abuse (psychological, physical, neglect, sexual).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nippon.com