Anti Child Abuse Networks

Poll find most local gov'ts lack anti-child abuse networks

"Only 40 percent of Japan's local governments have formed anti-child abuse networks between child consultation centers, schools and the police, although such cooperative systems are desperately needed, a government poll has found.

At a time when child abuse has worsened across the country, the Child Abuse Prevention Law urges local governments to take the lead in joining hands with organizations that have hitherto failed to cooperate.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that carried out the poll said it would urge local governments to form networks to prevent child abuse by detecting it at an early stage.

The poll found that only 1,243 of the 3,123 local governments, or 39.8 percent, have formed a child abuse prevention network as of June this year."

Mainichi Daily News, October 19, 2004