Safety and Disaster Prevention: Consultation on DV

What is Domestic Violence (DV)?

DV is the violence that occurs between male and female partners (or between a couple, friends, etc.), and is a serious human rights violation that can be treated as a criminal act.
The majority of victims are women.
In the background, there are some social-structure problems between men and women, such as social positions, economic disparity, old-fashioned thinking about role-sharing, remnants of contempt for human rights, especially those of women, etc.

Through what means is DV carried out?

DV is not just physical violence, but is a complex overlap of many types of violence (attempts at control). DV in romantic relationships, particularly so-called "Dating Violence," can make a partner’s attempts at control seem to the victim like love.
In this way, victim and perpetrator alike can create a DV, or DV-like, relationship without realizing it.

A. Physical violence
Physical violence such as striking, kicking, nudging, throwing things, etc

B. Mental violence
Neglect, denial of humanity, repeated verbal abuse, such as "You are stupid" or "I am the one who feeds you" etc.

C. Sexual violence
Forced sexual intercourse, forcing to watch pornographic videos and magazines, not cooperating with birth control , etc.

The Domestic Violence Cycle

DV takes place in a cycle. As the three stages of the cycle are repeated, the level of violence steadily increases in intensity.
Beginning Stage (Honeymoon Phase) → Tension Building Phase → Acting-out Phase (Stage of Violence)

This violence will repeat itself. When will you stop the cycle?

When you want someone to listen:
Spousal Violence Support Center, Gender Equality Center (DV support line)

When you need to get away right away:
Spousal Violence Support Center (temporary refuge)

When you need help keeping the other person away (to apply for a restraining order to stop the DV):
Spousal Violence Support Center, the police, notary public office, regional courthouse

When you need a place to live away from the abuser:
Public housing, etc.

When you want to discuss about your children:
Child Consultation Office, child-care centers, schools, Boards of Education, abuse hotlines

When you need physical care:
Spousal Violence Support Center (counseling), health departments, hospitals, and mental health care centers

When you need money for living expenses and medical fees:
Public Welfare Office, National Health Insurance Office (for medical insurance bills), Hello Work (for help finding a job)

When you want a divorce:
Law associations, family courthouse (apply for divorce mediation)

In an emergency:
Police (110), Ambulance (119)

DV Prevention Law: Law to protect sufferers and stop spousal abuse

The law for the prevention of violence by spouse and the protection of the sufferers’ was enforced in October 2001 in order to protect victims and stop spousal abuse. The revised law was enforced in December, 2004.
The order to prohibit approaching the spouse (6 months) and the order to leave the place of residence (2 months) are issued by the local court dependent upon application by a victim when there is a serious risk of life-threatening or bodily harm by a violet spouse. Other tactics like telephone restraining orders are also possible.

If the spouse breaks the order of protection, they are sentenced to up to 1 years imprisonment or fined up to 1,000,000 yen.
Please see the text of the DV Prevention Law for details.

DV consultation services

Please refer to each organization as for consulting date, time, means, etc. Appointments may be required by some organizations.
Consultation in foreign languages may not be available with some services.

Kyoto YWCA and APT (Telephone consolation for foreigners)
075-451-6522
Kyoto Prefectural Spousal Violence Support Center
075-441-7590
Kyoto Prefectural Gender Equality Center
DV Hotline: 075-692-3228
General: 075-692-3437
Women’s Human Rights Hot Line (Kyoto Local Legal Affairs Bureau, Human Right Protection Section)
075-231-2014
Kyoto Prefectural Police Consultation office (Kyoto Prefecture head office)
075-414-0110(#9110)
Kyoto City Gender Equality Center
075-212-7830
Fukuchiyama City Women’s Consultation
0773-24-7022
Maizuru City Women’s Center
0773-65-0056
Ayabe City Women Consultation
0773-42-1801
Uji City Women Consultation
0774-39-9379
Muko City Women Consultation
075-931-1144
Kameoka City Women’s house
0771-24-0294
Nagaokakyo City Women’s Consultation Room
050-7105-8502
Joyo City Women ’s Consultation Room
0774-56-5076
Yawata City Women Consultation
075-983-1784
Kyotanabe City Women Consultation
0774-65-3727
Kumiyama City Women’s Consultation Room
075-631-9980
Kizugawa City Women’s Center
0774-72-7719
Kyoto Criminal Victim Support Center
075-451-7830
Women’s Counseling Kyoto (fee charged)
075-222-2133
Non-Profit Organization ’Aunja’
090-8658-3269
Aoi Family Clinic(fee charged)
075-431-9150 (Consultation by appointment)

110 in emergency (Police)

Other consulting organizations in foreign languages