OPG to set up sexual assault victim assistance center

December 14, 2012 Ryukyu Shimpo

On December 13, Hiroshi Shimoji, the head of the Environmental and Community Affairs Department, Okinawa Prefectural Government (OPG), commented that he would strive to establish a “one-stop support center” to provide support for the victims of sexual assault. Shimoji was responding to a question from Kazuo Okuhira at a regular meeting of the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly. The OPG will carry out preliminary research in fiscal 2013, looking at similar projects set up in other prefectures, and hopes to start the center in fiscal 2014 after acquiring appropriate budget.

In preparation for its establishment, the OPG will consult with the Okinawa Women’s Foundation, the Rape Emergency Intervention Counseling Center-Okinawa, the Okinawa Prefectural Police Headquarters and the Okinawa Crime Victims Support Center “Yui,” and will organize a meeting to consider matters related to the establishment of the one-stop support center before the end of this fiscal year.

Yoko Kinjo and Mao Tanaka, co-leaders of the group who have pushed for the establishment of the center, have asked the Prefectural Assembly for it be set up as soon as possible. The request includes setting up a year-round 24 hour-a-day hot-line and locating the new center within a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in a general hospital. They also request cooperation from lawyers, psychiatrists and other specialists, support from the perspective of the people involved, public assistance to subsidize medical expenses for treatment, and for the OPG to contribute to the center’s operating costs.

(English translation by T&CT, Mark Ealey)

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