Local governments have stepped up efforts to help victims of sexual assault by setting up support centers nationwide, but challenges remain in keeping their doors open around the clock and providing mental health support for counselors.
The Nagasaki Prefectural Government saw a significant increase in inquiries on sexual assault cases after it opened a one-stop assistance center last April to offer multiple areas of support in one place. The center is designed so that victims don't have to explain their experience numerous times at various institutions, including police stations.
Since the launch of the center, the number of consultations hit 225 over nine months through the end of 2016. Before it was established, authorities received only about a dozen inquiries per year on sexual violence.