Certified Nonprofit Organization Children's Support Center Tsunagg provides support for the protection of children's rights as a one-stop centre for children who have suffered from abuse, sexual violence, bullying, etc. In this interview, we talked to Representative Director Tagami.

Representative Director Tagami

What inspired you to start Children's Support Center Tsunagg?

After many years of trying, I finally entered the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyoto University, but I spent my days feeling troubled, wondering what I was doing while my old classmates were already active in society. I thought about how it would be “if someone like me could be useful to society,” and participated in volunteer activities supporting children with disabilities, where I learned many things from the children and it was there where I met some children who had progressive diseases. Although they had been able to walk around in their early childhood, seeing the children now bedridden, I thought that only doctors could help them, so, in my third year of university, I retook the entrance exam to get into Wakayama Medical University, and aimed to become a paediatric neurologist. While working as a paediatric neurologist, I encountered cases of abuse in small children. In dealing with child abuse, I felt anger at the fact that such innocent children were being harmed. I faced many challenges, including complaints from parents and coordinating with child consultation centres and the police. When it comes to abuse, especially sexual abuse, Japan is 30 years behind Western countries. The United States has over 950 Children’s Advocacy Centres (CAC) that provide one-stop support for children who have been abused. I established the organization having thought “Japan also needs places and systems where one-stop support can be provided!”

Do you think people's awareness of the protection of children's rights has changed?

In 2015, the National Police Agency, the Public Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare jointly conducted interviews with children who had been abused and issued a notice to reduce the burden of the damage. When I heard this news, I was convinced that a trend towards establishing CACs would come to Japan in the future. At that time, I advocated for the future establishment of a CAC within my hospital, but I was rebuked by those around me, who said, “Sexual abuse is the job of the child consultation centre, the hospital has nothing to do with it.” But the situation has changed over the past 10 years. The recovery of victims (children) is a difficult thing, and the courageous activity by victims, such as the MeToo movement and those affected by the Johnny's sexual abuse scandal, have deeply moved many people. When I give talks, I say, “In Western countries, this response is standardized, and the CAC model, which acts as a one-stop shop for interviews, medical examinations, and psychological care in a child-friendly environment, is the norm.” The audience's responds positively that “There's such a good way of doing this. It's really opened my eyes.” Society is changing. And society is changeable. That's what I believe.

What do you feel were the benefits of starting Children’s Support Center Tsunagg?

I feel a sense of fulfilment in being able to work toward the same goal with various institutions and professions such as the police, prosecutors, child consultation centres, boards of education, schools, municipal offices, and private support organizations. Meeting all of these people, and not only those who provide specialized support, is a great asset in my eyes.

How are the donations from FIT being used?

The aftermath of children who have suffered the severe trauma of sexual abuse is tragic. The incidence of mental illnesses such as PTSD and depression is high, and there is a lot of alcohol and drug dependence and self-harm. Furthermore, the suicide rate is high, which is why sexual abuse is called murder of the soul. Among the children Tsunagg is involved with, some are in a state where they cannot even manage meals or shopping. At Tsunagg, we “stay close,” “accompany,” and “listen” to such children, and it is the activity of listening alongside support dogs that has the potential to reduce the burden on the children. Such small steps are indispensable for the recovery of the mind and body of children who have suffered great trauma. We hope to expand activities with support dogs so that we can support even just one more child just one day sooner across Japan. Also, since supporters need to get involved while having a consideration for trauma, human resource development is indispensable. Donations will be used to support these children.

Support Dog Hash-kun

Please tell us about your future prospects.

As a supporter and as a doctor, I had often felt regret, thinking “If only I could do more.” There were diseases that I could not cure and lives that I could not save. It's no use regretting my own powerlessness, but now I have accumulated some experience and knowledge, and I have received some research funds and valuable donations. I believe now is the time to give it my all. If I don't, I think I would be lying to my past self who lamented “If only I could do more.” And I believe that effort should be devoted not to medical care, supporters, the judiciary, or NPOs, but to the children. I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have supported us, and I will continue to work hard for the children.

How can we support you?
A CAC provides one-stop support through interviews, medical examinations, and psychological care for children who have been abused or sexually abused. The interviews are conducted by specialist interviewers in a non-leading manner. The medical examinations are conducted by doctors who are familiar with children and have received special training, and they examine the entire body. In Kanagawa Prefecture, which is at the forefront of this field in Japan, the 'Kanagawa Prefecture Sexual Abuse Investigation Report' published last year indicated that only 9% of victims received the specialized examination known as a systematic full-body examination. Children with trauma need long-term follow-up, but it was reported that, in about 70% of cases, support ends within a year. There are also regions where you cannot find doctors and medical institutions that conduct such examinations. I want people to know about this situation. It is likely that many victims are unable to disclose their victimization. We must ensure that all children can lead ordinary lives so that they will be happy in the future. I wish for everyone to gain a correct understanding of the current situation and engage in awareness-raising activities.

Systematic Full-body Examination / Judicial Interview Room

Certified Nonprofit Organization Children's Support Center Tsunagg
https://tsunagg.org/