Child guidance centers throughout the country recognized and took action in a record 59,862 cases of child abuse during fiscal 2011, an increase of 3,478 from fiscal 2010 (statistics for Fukushima Prefecture for fiscal 2011 were unavailable because of the 3/11 disasters), the health and welfare ministry announced July 26.
The ministry explained that heightened awareness among people of child abuse has led to more people reporting even suspected cases to child guidance centers.
Still, it is alarming that the number of child-abuse cases has climbed for 21 straight years.