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Medical Institutions’ Response to Child Abuse: Survey across Japan

Author

Listed:
  • Eri Ishikawa

    (Department of Medical Ethics and Patient Safety, Keio University, Keio Research Institute at SFC, 4411 Endo, Fujisawa 252-0883, Japan
    Comprehensive Research Organization, Institute for Global Health, Waseda University, 1-3-10 Nishiwaseda Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo 169-0051, Japan
    Department of Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan)

  • Shoichi Maeda

    (Department of Medical Ethics and Patient Safety, Keio University, Keio Research Institute at SFC, 4411 Endo, Fujisawa 252-0883, Japan
    Department of Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
    Division of Health Care Management and Public Health, Graduate School of Health Management, Keio University, 4411 Endo, Fujisawa 252-0883, Japan)

  • Eisuke Nakazawa

    (Department of Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan)

  • Akira Akabayashi

    (Department of Biomedical Ethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
    Division of Medical Ethics, School of Medicine, New York University, 227 East 30th Street, New York, NY 10016, USA)

Abstract

The number of child abuse cases has been increasing in Japan every year. Medical institutions face issues such as coordinating with welfare offices, child guidance centers, police, and other related agencies concerning child abuse, as well as communicating with parents/guardians who are perpetrators of child abuse. This study examined the awareness and actual behavior of medical institutions regarding the support required while notifying/reporting cases of child abuse. A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among the staff of the pediatrics departments, emergency departments, and general affairs departments of large hospitals in Japan. Differences in notifying and reporting child abuse cases to the child guidance center and welfare office and the police were assessed. It was found that some cases were not reported to the child guidance center or welfare office despite being considered “abuse.” Furthermore, a difference of opinion was observed among staff members, especially in judging “whether abuse is suspected or not.”

Suggested Citation

  • Eri Ishikawa & Shoichi Maeda & Eisuke Nakazawa & Akira Akabayashi, 2022. "Medical Institutions’ Response to Child Abuse: Survey across Japan," J, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjopen:v:5:y:2022:i:4:p:34-511:d:974007
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