Victim care and support system
The lives of those who have been victims of pornography are very difficult. Support for those who have been sexually assaulted requires the cooperation of experts and specialized organizations.
As a result of the efforts of many people, consultation desks, support facilities, and shelters exist. However, these are far from being what is needed. There is a severe shortage of people, materials, and money at the relief sites, and despite desperate efforts, it is difficult to say that sufficient support is being provided.
In other developed countries, governments and local authorities have proactively established systems for providing support, consultation, and treatment for sexual assault victims, but in Japan, these efforts have only just begun. Governments and local authorities should be more proactive in creating support systems for victims, establishing appropriate laws, and providing re-education for perpetrators.
Currently, the " Network for the Creation of Sexual Violence Prevention Law" has been formed, mainly consisting of scholars, lawyers, counselors, on-site supporters, and civil society activists, and is working to establish comprehensive laws to prevent sexual violence and a system to support victims. More than 500 people are already participating in this network.
In addition, victim support networks and organizations have been created in various regions, and are continuing their steady activities and providing consultation for victims (for a portion of these, please refer to the " List of consultation desks and reporting points "). Recently, "one-stop centers" where sexual violence victim consultations, medical treatment, and police consultations can be carried out in one place are being established in each prefecture (list: http://purplelab.web.fc2.com/onestopcenter.html ). The circle of victim consultations and support is expanding.
Our "Group to Consider Pornography Victims and Sexual Violence" was formed in the same vein in 2009, and holds a symposium every autumn on the theme of "Pornography Victims and the Human Rights of Women and Children." Victims began to contact us around 2013, and by the end of 2015, we had already received over 100 consultations. Some of these cases have actually been resolved.
Although progress is slow, a new movement is already underway. The problem is serious, but we are not powerless. There is something we can do.