Japan – More than 80,000 children under 18 were suspected victims of child abuse, a record number, in cases police reported to child consultation centers in 2018, according to statistics released by the National Police Agency on Feb. 7.
The figure of 80,104 children who had their cases referred to centers around Japan represented a 22.4 percent increase over 2017.
The number of child abuse cases has increased every year since such statistics were first compiled in 2004.
There was also a record 77,482 domestic violence cases confirmed by police. Last year was the 15th consecutive year such cases have increased.
In breaking down the suspected child abuse cases, about 70 percent, or 57,326 children suffered from psychological abuse through verbal abuse or neglect. The number of children who faced physical abuse was 14,821, while 7,699 were neglected by their parents and not properly cared for. There were 258 children who were victims of sexual abuse.
Source and full English article: The Asahi Shimbun
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201902070043.html
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