Current situation and challenges of abuse of persons with disabilities

Abstract

In Japan, the Act on the Prevention of Abuse of Persons with Disabilities was enacted to prohibit abuse against individuals with disabilities by defining the responsibilities of the State and others, and by establishing the duty to make efforts toward the early detection of such abuse. However, preventing and addressing the abuse of people with disabilities is often difficult due to assailants’ lack of awareness about abuse and insufficient legal and administrative measures.

Therefore, preventing and detecting abuse of people with disabilities at an early stage, as well as implementing effective measures, are urgent issues.

In this article, we present our perspectives on the realities and challenges of such abuse, drawing on an overview shared at the Rights Advocacy Committee of Tokai University Hospital and on a case we encountered through home-visit care.