Meeting to Consider Ways to Prevent the Sexual Victimization of People with Disabilities Held in Saitama

From NHK

November 10 2023

SAITAMA – A study session was held in Koshigaya City, Saitama Prefecture, on November 9th to discuss how to prevent sexual victimization of people with disabilities.

Kumiko Fujiwara, a visually impaired woman and representative of an organization of women with disabilities, gave a lecture.

Fujiwara explained that the organization conducted a survey of 87 women with disabilities about 10 years ago, and found that 35% of them had experienced sexual abuse.

She also pointed out that the reason for this is that it is difficult to resist because of one’s disability, and that it is difficult to report victimization when a caregiver or family member is the perpetrator.

Participants expressed opinions such as, “How should we treat those around us when we notice damage?” and “We should create an environment where victims can speak up.

Ms. Yuko Abo, a representative of the group that organized the event and a supporter of disabled persons, said, “Victimized disabled persons often cry themselves to sleep. We would like to think about how to treat them with a sense of human rights.