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	<< Back "DAWN" Newsletter of The DAWN CENTER How we tackle it in Osaka With the gradual improvement of women's status and with a gender-free society, where men and women cooperate together, coming in sight, persistent bias between men and women has become conspicuous. In Osaka, during the few years since the World Conference on Women in Beijing, various kinds of violence against women have been recognized as infringements on women's human rights and discussed as one of the grave social problems. The Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters has put into operation for the first time in Japan a "Designated women's detective system." It appoints women police officers to investigate sex-related crimes about which women are reluctant to talk to male police officers. In addition, the police have begun a program of telephone counseling known as "Women's Line," for women who are suffering from sex-related crimes. In the field of domestic violence, a civic feminist group conducted a survey under the auspices of the Osaka Prefectural Government. The results follow. Administrative and non-governmental organizations are beginning to cope with the issue individually and cooperatively, in order to make known the various kinds of violence against women and to help prevent their recurrence. < Sex Crime Prevention, Investigation and Counseling by Policewomen > The Osaka Prefectural Police Department offers various kinds of assistance and training to step up measures to deal with sex crimes and victims. 1. The Designated Woman Investigation System   Currently, 375 women investigators across Osaka Prefecture are designated as investigators in this system in an attempt to prevent secondary victimization. They hear explanations from victims, accompany them to hospitals, participate in on-the-spot inspections, and draw up reports. They are required to take five-day training prior to assisting victims. 2. The Formation of "Lights Winds," a team of women investigators.   Now 48 women detectives are engaged in criminal investigation in this special investigation team. In March 1998, a habitual sexual violence criminal, whom Light Winds had arrested, was sentenced to 20 years in prison without probation. 3. Counseling for Victims   The Osaka Prefectural Police Department offers telephone counseling as well as face-to-face counseling, both of which are staffed by policewomen. The number of people seeking help and advice amounted to about 800 between June 1996 and the end of April 1998. Page Top Copyright (C) 2007 DawnCenter. All Rights Reserved.