 For Yoko Kato, PhD, a professor in Japan, the spike in the number of cases of child abuse and neglect in her country inspired her to action. The research scientist had read about interventions for families at risk for child abuse and neglect that the University of Maryland School of Social Work implemented through its Family Connections program and she wanted to see the program firsthand.
She arrived at the School at the end of July to meet with Diane DePanfilis, PhD, MSW, a professor, associate dean for research, and director of the Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, and to interview those working at Family Connections and Grandparent Family Connections. DePanfilis and Kato first met in 2006 at a workshop about the Family Connections program at the International Society for Child Abuse and Neglect Conference in York, England. "Dr. Kato's visit to Baltimore helped us explore the similarities and differences in the nature of child abuse and neglect between Japan and the U.S.," DePanfilis said.
Kato will report what she learns on her visit to her government, which is partnering with the university where she teaches to explore interventions and solutions to the spike in child abuse and neglect cases.
"In 1990, there were 1,010 reported cases of child abuse and neglect in Japan. A law was passed in 2000 mandating that professionals report suspected cases of abuse and neglect and in 2008, the number of reported cases neared 40,000," said Kato, a faculty member at the University of Marketing and Distribution Sciences' Department of Social Welfare Studies in Hyogo, Japan. "I believe the 1990 numbers were low because child abuse and neglect weren't reported as much."
In addition, Kato said, "I also want to see what kinds of intervention programs can improve outcomes for children in Japan."
Kato believes that two things are contributing to the spike in child abuse and neglect cases in Japan. First is the changing culture, prompting a change in family structure. "Traditionally, Japanese families included grandparents, and now they shifted to that of a nuclear family," she said. The other explanation she attributes to the 2000 law mandating reporting. "Culturally, the Japanese punished children without distinction between what is punishment and what is severe abuse," she said.
Kato experienced an epiphany when living in San Francisco earlier in her career. While researching child welfare issues, she spent time at a runaway and truancy center, at juvenile courts, and with the education board in San Francisco, and she began to see a correlation between the act of running away and the child's being abused at home. "I interviewed the youth and almost always, they had experienced abuse at home. I came to understand that prevention is the most important element," she said.
Later in Japan, she realized that cases before family courts involving strict fathers meting out discipline exposed "severe abuse."
During her intensive three-day tour of the School and its Family Connections program, Kato explored how the program was organized. Family Connections' mission is to enhance the safety and well-being of children and families through family and community services, professional education and training, and research and evaluation. Kato came away impressed.
"I understand there is a big cultural difference between the U.S. and Japan, but I hope my observations can help me adapt the interventions to our culture. Neglect and abuse are major issues and what's most needed is the development of a common assessment to prevent child maltreatment."
Kato hopes that being armed with information about program organization can help her secure funding to begin implementing similar interventions for at-risk families at home. |
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