Ensuring government cash handouts reach domestic violence victims

In the past two years, COVID-19 has affected us, and the government has provided benefits to citizens in Japan. However, victims of domestic violence have been unable to receive these benefits due to the system. In many cases, the perpetrators have received them instead, and people have raised their voices to fight this inequality. Thanks to the effort, the government has begun to take a more flexible approach to ensure that these benefits go to those who need them the most.

Many domestic violence victims couldn’t receive the national benefits

In Japan, citizens and residents need to register their information and indicate the “head of household” at each municipality to receive official documents from the government. As a married or de facto couple living together, one partner must become the head. Their dependents then can receive a deduction for social insurance.

The All Japan Women’s Shelter Network has received some consultations from victims, who have shared stories such as “My husband, the head of the household, received the benefits. I could neither talk with him about how to spend it nor ask him to share it with me because he would violate or abuse me if I tried to have a conversation with him.”

The All Japan Women’s Shelter Network has compiled these facts and advocated for the women. On February 8, the Minister for Economic Revitalization, Daishiro Yamagiwa, reorganized the system to make the benefits available to those in these situations.

Consulting with Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers to receive benefits

You can proceed to receive the benefits at a city hall where you currently reside regardless of where you register your residency. Objective evidence of domestic violence makes the procedure easier, so consulting with the Spousal Violence Counseling and Support Centers nearby at first can be helpful.

Based on the official documents released, applicants should be aware of the following tips:

1. The requirements for applicants are summarized on page 2 (2) here, so please make sure that you have prepared the necessary documents to show the person at your city hall. The national government has notified each municipality with the same document. In case they don’t follow the guidance, tell them that you have evacuated your household with your child due to domestic violence, and ask for a flexible accommodation.
2. You may be worried that your partner would know where you have evacuated to. The prefectural governments are in charge of the procedures. They don’t inform your whereabouts to the municipality you originally resided in. However, to be safe, please ask the person in charge at the city hall not to tell your partner about your whereabouts.

If you have some uncomfortable experience with city hall, consultation is available here.

Reducing inequality through our action

Through the efforts of the All Japan Women’s Shelter Network, the government strives to solve this inequality. If you are in this situation, please know that you are not alone and that these supports are available around you.

The organization accepts donations to support victims of domestic violence in Japan. Find out the details on its website to make donations.