Number of people with disabilities abused by family members or facility staff in Japan reached record high last year

From NHK

December 25 2024

TOKYO – Last year, 4,641 people with disabilities were abused by family members or staff at welfare facilities for the disabled, the highest number ever.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, last year, there were 3,477 cases of abuse of people with disabilities in local governments nationwide, and 4,641 people were abused, both of which are the highest numbers since statistics began being collected in 2012.

Of these, 2,285 people were abused by family members or others, and multiple answers were given for the type of disability, with 45.7% having intellectual disabilities and 44.4% having mental disabilities, and 67.5% of the abuse was physical abuse, 32% psychological abuse, and 16.5% economic abuse.

Additionally, 2,356 people were abused by staff at welfare facilities for people with disabilities. With multiple answers allowed, 74.3% had intellectual disabilities and 18.9% had mental disabilities, while 51.9% were physical, 48% were psychological, and 11% were sexual.

Last year, the number of cases of abuse in facilities increased after it was discovered that Megumi, a major group home operator, had systematically overcharged users for food costs.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare stated, “The number of reports of abuse is increasing along with the increase in service providers and users. In order to prevent systematic abuse, we would like to continue to work on thorough measures, such as encouraging operators to set up third-party committees regarding the operation of facilities.”