November 20, 2024

A symposium aimed at learning from overseas activists about their fight to stop sexual violence against children took place in the Diet building the day before World Children’s Day which is annually celebrated on November 20 to commemorate the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Along with Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Representatives Motomura Nobuko and JCP member of the House of Councilors Nihi Sohei, lawmakers of the ruling and opposition parties took part in the symposium hosted by seven anti-sexual violence organizations, including one called “Spring” which consists of sex crime victims and their supporters.

One of the symposium panelists, Bob Shilling, co-founder of the Brave Movement, a global network of survivors of childhood sexual violence, pointed out that many of sexual violence survivors cannot report the crime for various reasons, and said that legislators should listen to their voices.

Dr. Matthew McVarish, who is a member of the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Committee, pointed out that more than 60% of adult survivors of childhood sexual violence only tell someone about their experiences later in life. He noted that in Japan, with the revision of the criminal law, the statute of limitations for sex crimes was extended. He, however, emphasized the need to abolish the statute of limitations itself in order to provide relief to all victims.

The Lanzarote Committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Children’s rights activist Mie Kohiyama talked about Germany’s efforts as it is the only country in the world having a system called “survivor council” which enables childhood sexual violence survivors to play a role in the government’s policymaking process.