Child safety in Japan-based ministries

Reaching children with the good news has been a part of Christian ministry since the days of the apostles. The laughter of small people is infectious, and the faith they profess has a beauty different to the faith of adults. Christian ministries that reach children are appreciated in many places of the world as valuable to the communities they serve. Many Christians came to faith as children.

Unfortunately, children have not always been safe in such environments. Allegations against Christians and Christian ministries of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse as well as neglect have come to light in many countries, including Japan. Missionaries are not exempt from committing such evils, nor are pastors, youth workers, church members, or volunteers. Neither are missionaries exempt from false allegations. Are you prepared?

Steps to protect children

Taking steps to protect the children in our ministries is vital for two reasons. First, it shows the community around us that our behaviours are consistent with the gospel message we preach. Second, it protects the children in our ministries from people who would seek to harm them to satisfy their twisted needs. While each ministry will end up with approaches that suit their contexts, there are common steps that all should take, regardless of their circumstances.

Building an approach to child safety starts with creating a culture of belief. The adults in the ministry need to believe that this could happen among them or to the children they serve. The abuser could be one of them. Or it could be happening to the child at his or her home or school and the ministry context happens to be the place it is brought to light. These issues are real, and we need to be prepared to respond to them.

Knowing your community resources is also essential. What are the laws in Japan? Are there more specific procedures in place in the prefecture or municipality you work in? How do you contact Child Consultation Centre (児童相談所) in your community if you have a concern? Many of these resources are available in English, but you do need to know where you can get help, particularly if you are an independent missionary or in a small localised ministry (see the box on the next page for information on Japanese resources).

For the non-Japanese people in your ministry, you have another layer of concern. What are the laws in your home country? Does your home country have an agreement with Japan that could see you prosecuted for breaking the law in your home country, even if what you do is not a crime here in Japan? Many countries have such an agreement. You need to know your legal situation in both countries. Contact your embassy or consulate to find out what safeguards they recommend for you or investigate their websites for country-specific information.

The Child Safety and Protection Network is one Christian organization that works with over 100 missions and Christian international schools around the world to raise awareness of these issues and to train personnel in effective procedures. Your mission, if you have one, should seriously consider joining a group like this one for the encouragement, training, and networking provided (individuals can join, but they prefer organisations). In these more difficult times, their training is available online. There are a number of links on their site to other ministries and resources that will help you plan and prepare.¹

Elements of an effective child safety program

According to the Child Safety and Protection Network, there are seven elements of an effective child safety program. A short explanation is provided for each one. More information is available at their website.

1. Governance. All the leaders have to be in agreement that this is important. Ensure there is a written policy, and maintain a code of conduct to be followed by the adults in the ministry or organisation.
2. Definitions. The terms used need to be clear to all parties and regularly discussed.
3. Screening. All the adults in the ministry should have their history checked as far as possible. Note: while many countries allow independent background checks on potential employees or volunteers, Japan has privacy laws that limit what is possible. You can at least request to view a criminal history, but only the person themselves can ask for it, not a third party. For example, here are the Tokyo instructions: https://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/multilingual/english/finding_services/applications/criminal_record.html
4. Training. All the adults in the ministry should be trained in the protocols and the reasons for them. In addition, and as far as possible, the parents and children should have some of the procedures explained. This is a developing area in Japan, so acceptance and understanding will vary by location.
5. Childcare protocols. Written protocols are adapted to each ministry in its context. Such protocols are centred around the three principles of child safeguarding: reducing isolation, increasing accountability, and avoiding situations where there is an inappropriate balance and/or use of power.
6. Response process. The policy should have a clear plan about what to do if allegations or incidents come to light. It will not leave any room for individual discretion about what can be ignored, but rather have a group that decides what needs to be done, up to and including referral to Japanese authorities—either child welfare, the police, or both.
7. Member care. A way is needed to care for those involved in child safety incidents, including the children concerned, their parents, and those who looked after them.

Thankfully, most of our ministries proceed without incident in these areas, but there are enough tragic stories of children not being protected by the adults around them to make this an issue we all need to take seriously. Your ministry needs to have a plan. You need to have a plan. The children in your care need you to have a plan.

1. “Public Resources,” Child Safety & Protection Network, https://cspn.memberclicks.net/public-resources (accessed September 11, 2020).

Japanese resources for child safety

• A brief report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/human/child/initialreport/introduction.html)
• A translation of the Japan Child Welfare Act (http://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law/detail_main?id=11&vm=2)
• A summary by the US Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-protection-law/japan.php)