EDITORIAL: More third-party monitoring needed to protect rights of children

A third-party monitoring committee has warned temporary shelters operated by the Tokyo metropolitan government about their excessively stringent rules for children under their protection.

These temporary protection centers receive troubled children, such as victims of abuse and juvenile delinquents, from child consultation centers in an initial response to the cases.

The monitoring committee said the temporary protection facilities in Tokyo have imposed harsh disciplinary measures against children who break the strict rules, which include banning them from holding conversations. Violators, for example, have been forced to face a wall when they eat.

If children view these facilities as a type of correctional institution, they would probably remain silent about abuse they are suffering and continue living in danger to avoid returning to the protection centers.

Measures should be taken swiftly to correct the situation.

Every prefecture has at least one temporary protection center.

Many of the facilities, especially in large cities, are overcrowded and suffer from chronic staff shortages. And understaffed centers may be tempted to resort to a straitjacket of rules to maintain discipline among the children.

Meeting the needs of each child requires more than a correct mind-set and solid commitment on the part of the caregivers. Sufficient time and energy are also required.

Other local governments should also scrutinize the conditions at these centers and take necessary improvement measures, such as expanding the facilities or work forces.

The central government also bears responsibility. The government should provide greater budget and policy support to help improve the facilities for the children.

The problems with the temporary protection centers in Tokyo came to light because the metropolitan government set up the third-party monitoring committee to regularly interview staff and children at these facilities.

This proves that creating an independent watchdog is an effective way to correct misguided practices and policies at welfare facilities.

But only a limited number of local governments have introduced such third-party monitoring and evaluation systems. More local governments should consider this approach.

Another worthwhile approach to understand how the children feel is “residential visiting advocacy.” Under this system, monitors regularly visit the facilities to interact with young residents and hear about their concerns and complaints.

For two years, a group of researchers at Oita University led by Satomi Eidome, an assistant professor, has been visiting orphanages and other facilities once every two weeks to interview children and convey their concerns and wishes to the facilities.

The group also supports efforts to encourage children to express their thoughts and feelings on their own.

Eidome feels that the advocacy program has led to positive changes among staff members at the facilities. Many workers say the focus of their thinking has shifted from what they should be doing to what the children are thinking and feeling, according to the researcher.

Such visits by experts would also be beneficial for children at temporary protection centers who likely feel anxious about being separated from their parents.

The revised Child Welfare Law, which was enacted in June, stipulates that “necessary measures” should be taken by around 2022 to encourage children to express their opinions and to respect their voices.

The government should swiftly consider steps to build a society where the rights of children are solidly protected.

--The Asahi Shimbun, July 25