Japan‘s Welfare Ministry reports more than 3,300 disabled abused last year with abuse at welfare facilities on the rise

Written with extracts from NHK

December 28th 2019

The number of disabled people who were abused rose to more than 3,300 people nationwide last year, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare concluded that while workplace abuse decreased, it increased at homes and welfare facilities.

Abuse of persons with disabilities have to be reported to a municipal authority if they are witnessed or suspected.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the number of people with disabilities who were confirmed to be abused as a result of investigations after receiving reports was 3,303 nationwide last year, a decrease of about 200 compared to the previous year.

In real terms, the largest number of the people with disabilities who were abused were instances of abuse by family members, which accounted for 1626 cases of abuse. 900 instances of abuse were by bosses and managers at work. Finally, 777 were by staff at welfare facilities.

Abuse in the workplace has decreased by more than 30% compared to the previous year, while it has increased in homes and welfare facilities.

The type of abuse consists of the following:

Physical abuse “such as kicking and kicking” is the highest at 64%. 29% reported “psychological abuse” such as extortion. Economic abuse “of not giving out pensions accounted for 21%.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare says, “Although the number of disabled people who have been abused is decreasing, more than 3,000 people are still suffering.