Male Resident of Hokkaido Facility for Disabled Injured After Falling Out of Window of 2nd Floor Room, Possible Abuse Investigated

From NHK

August 9 2023

HOKKAIDO – At a support facility for the disabled in Betsukai, East Hokkaido, a male resident who was locked in a second-floor room by a male staff member fell out of a window and sustained injuries. The Hokkaido Prefectural Government is conducting interviews with the staff to investigate the possibility that the incident may have been an act of abuse.

According to Kashiwa-no-Mitsu Gakuen, a support facility for the disabled in Betsukai Town, a male employee in his 40s tied the doorknob of a resident’s room on the second floor and the handrail in the hallway with string in the early morning of the 3rd of last month, and locked a male resident in his 40s inside the room.

The male resident then attempted to climb out of a second-floor window and fell, receiving six stitches to his face.

According to the facility, the male staff member said that he locked the resident in his room because he had soaked the laundry area, but that he took the worst possible action when he could have done something else.

The male staff member’s response was inappropriate, and he was given a pay cut.

Upon receiving a report from the facility, the Hokkaido Prefectural Government is conducting an interview with the staff to investigate the possibility of “abusive behavior,” and will consider disciplinary measures based on the results of the investigation.

Kashiwa-no-Mitsu Gakuen Director Katsuji Kadoma told NHK, “This is something that should not have happened, and I deeply apologize. We would like to improve the situation while taking in outside opinions.”