Overview
- The Children and Families Agency, which issued its first nationwide survey Tuesday, found 140 of 903 responding hospitals and clinics had patient complaints about sexual misconduct by staff.
- Most complaints involved women in their late teens through their 30s, and about one in ten reported “troubles” involved 6–18-year-olds, according to the Mainichi’s readout of the data.
- Reports from victim groups and affected facilities described abuse during exams in rooms out of view, with some cases involving groping or covert photography on smartphones.
- The “Japan DBS” criminal-record check for people who work with children will start in December without covering medical facilities, with officials promising a review on adding medical workers within about three years after the new prevention law takes effect.
- Advocates and officials are calling for practical steps inside clinics that cut blind spots, keep another staffer present during sensitive care, and curb the use of personal phones during examinations.