“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police [Podcast Episode]

By Barrier Free Japan

May 2 2025

HIROSHIMA – A mother in Hiroshima reported that her 21-year-old autistic son was mistakenly accused of groping on a bus after failing to respond to a woman’s request to move, highlighting how individuals with developmental disabilities are often misjudged due to difficulties with communication and social cues; although the police confirmed no wrongdoing through surveillance footage, the emotional impact remains, prompting calls for greater public awareness and understanding—especially through visible aids like the “Help Mark”—to prevent such distressing incidents.

Episode Notes: 

‘“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police’:

“I’m in shock”: Autistic Man in Hiroshima Mistaken for Molester, Reported to Police