Child Abuse Consultations

What is child abuse?

Child abuse not only harms children physically and mentally, it can also be life threatening. Since it happens within the home, and abuse can be difficult to see from the outside, it often goes undetected for a prolonged period of time. Parents may have the intent to discipline their child, but violent words and actions are abuse. If you suspect there may be a case of child abuse, you should call and report it; calls are confidential.

If you want to talk to somebody

The Child Support Center (kodomo shien senta) is located on the 4th floor of Takasaki City Hall and accepts phone calls 24 hours a day. You do not need to suffer alone; you can call and get advice about a variety of child rearing related topics. The center will also introduce you to relevant support services.

You can call for various reasons:

• you want someone to listen to your feelings of frustration or talk about how tough child rearing is
• you are worried about how to discipline or get through to your child
• you or your child are suffering from violence at home
• you can hear a neighbor's child crying

If you want to talk to someone, you can also contact either of the following child consultation facilities (jido sodan-sho; Japanese only):

1. The Seibu Jido Sodan-sho (西部児童相談所)
   Tel: 027-322-2498
2. The National Jido Sodan-sho Hotline
   Tel: 189 (available 24 hours)

They can put you in contact with your closest Jido Sodan-sho branch.

Inquiries

The Child Support Center (kodmo shien senta)
Tel: 027-321-1318