Domestic
problems 
What
is domestic violence?
Many people think of domestic violence as physical violence by one family
member to another. In reality, though, it is not limited to physical
abuse; many victims suffer as much verbal and emotional abuse as physical
abuse.
Domestic violence, which is commonly referred to by its initials, DV here in
Japan, is considered to refer to a pattern of physically, emotionally, and/or
sexually abusive behaviors used by one member of a couple to maintain control
of their partner. Domestic violence does not discriminate ? abusers come from
all nationalities and classes, privileged or deprived.
Abusers may hurt their victim:
・mentally, by using threatening words or by controlling their partner’s movements,
・economically, by limiting access to money,
・socially, by isolating them from friends or family,
・sexually, through sexual violence, or refusal to cooperate with contraception.
Japanese men subjecting foreign women to domestic violence frequently take
away their passport or foreign resident registration card, to stop them leaving.
Abusive Japanese men may also exploit their partner’s fear of not getting their
visa renewed if they try to leave the abusive partner. Many foreign women in
this situation are unable to renew their visas and end up becoming overstayers
without documentation. The visa threat makes the situation of foreign women
suffering domestic violence even more serious than for Japanese women.
In Japan, the “Law for the Prevention of Spousal Violence and for the Protection
of Victims,” or “DV Prevention Law” (DV boshi ho), clearly states that domestic
violence is a crime. The law stipulates that the appropriate police officers,
as well as female counselors at public social service or welfare offices shall
act to protect the victims of domestic violence. The law covers all victims
of abusive partners, whether married or not, foreign or Japanese, and includes
undocumented foreigners.
Counseling offices
Under the DV Prevention Law (DV boshi ho), there are Spousal Violence
Counseling and Support Centers (SV centers) in each prefecture. These
play a key role in combating domestic violence, by offering services
including counseling, emergency temporary shelter, and support for victims
of domestic violence who wish to become independent of their abusers.
Counseling Office and Women's Shelter for Fukushima Prefecture
Hours: 9:00 - 21:00 (excluding Sundays, national holidays, and
the end/beginning of New Year)
◆ Fukushima Women's Counselling and Support Centre
024-522-1010
Counseling is also available at local municipal offices, social welfare
offices, and women’s counseling centers in your area. Municipal and
welfare offices
have counseling staff to deal with domestic problems and the problems of
lone parents. As local offices are frequently understaffed, it is best
to phone
and make an appointment before you go.
List of other regional consultation service centres
Hours:
8:30-17:00, Monday
to Fridays
◆ Fukushima Ken-poku Public Health and Welfare Office (Fukushima City)
024-534-4118
◆ Fukushima Gender Equality Centre (Nihonmatsu City)
0243-23-8320
◆ Fukushima Ken-chu Public Health and Welfare Office (Sukagawa City)
0248-75-7809
◆ Koriyama Welfare Office (Koriyama City)
024-924-2411
◆ Fukushima Ken-nan Public Health and Welfare Office (Shirakawa City)
0248-22-5647
◆ Aizu Wakamatsu Welfare Centre (Aizu Wakamatsu)
0242-32-4470
◆ Kitakata Wefare Office (Kitakata City)
0241-24-5229
◆ Fukushima Minami-Aizu Public Health and Welfare Office (Tajima City)
0241-63-0305
◆ Fukushima Soso Public Health and Welfare Office (Minami Soma City)
0244-26-1134
◆ Iwaki Uchigo, Yoshima, Miwa Public Health and Welfare Centre (Iwaki City)
0246-27-8612
◆ Taira Family and Child Counselling Centre (Iwaki City)
0246-22-7457
◆ Onahama Family and Child Counselling Centre (Iwaki City)
0246-54-2111
◆ Nakoso Family and Child Counselling Centre (Iwaki City)
0246-63-2111
◆ Jyoban Family and Child Counselling Centre (Iwaki City)
0246-43-2111
Counseling is also available with the police. The section responsible
for domestic violence problems is called the “Life and Safety Section”
(Seikatsu
Anzen-ka).
In an
emergency, you can
contact them by dialing 110. If you prefer, you can ask to speak to a female
officer.
Protection Orders
When there is a serious threat to a victim’s life or physical safety
from an abusive partner, SV Centers and the police can request a district
court to issue a Protection Order (hogo meirei) to protect the victim
from the abuser.
There are two types of Protection Orders: No Contact Order and Orders to Vacate.
Abusers risk imprisonment if they breach these orders.
◆ No Contact Order
Prohibits a physical abuser from approaching a victim and loitering near her
home or workplace, for a period of 6 months.
◆ Order to Vacate
Requires a physical abuser to move out of the home where he was living with
the victim, for a period of 2 weeks.
Contact (through a Japanese speaker) for further information:
A Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Center (SV Center)
Your local municipal office
The police (dial 110)
Child abuse
Child abuse happens when parents or guardians inflict injury or damage on their
children.
There are several types of child abuse. These include physical abuse,
sexual abuse, psychological abuse, and neglect.
Under the “Child Abuse Prevention Law,” any person who thinks that child
abuse may be taking place must notify their local child guidance office.
Protecting children from abuse begins with people in contact with children
being trained to recognize symptoms of abuse. Once abuse is notified,
support is needed for both children and their parents.
Family planning
The Japanese concept of family planning refers to a married couple bringing
up the number of children they wish to at the best stage in their life.
Planned pregnancy is the key to the optimum health of the mother and the development
of her children.
Every couple should share responsibility for and together choose the number
of children they have, and when to have them. Both parents and children benefit
from a planned pregnancy in the best possible conditions.
Therefore they need to make informed choices on contraceptive method and be
able to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
You can make consultations on family planning and birth control at public health
centers and local municipal offices. They are free, but you should be aware
that they are in Japanese.
For further information:
Contact（through a Japanese speaker）your local municipal office or public health
center.
Contraception
◆ Condoms
The most common form of birth control in Japan is the condom. Condoms are available
at pharmacies, drugstores or convenience stores.
◆ Pill（oral contraception）
The Pill prevents ovulation. It alters your hormone levels in a way to similar
to pregnancy, thereby stopping you from ovulating. The Pill is a combination
of two types of synthetic female hormones. It is nearly 100% effective if you
follow your doctor’s instructions exactly on how to take the Pill.
A doctor at a maternity clinic can prescribe you the pill after a thorough
consultation to ensure that there is no risk to your health in taking the Pill.
This will include a questionnaire of your medical history, an internal examination
(for signs of uterus cancer), blood test (to check liver function), and urine
test (to check kidney function).
