Empowering Voices, Preventing Violence: The Role of Awareness

Empowering Voices, Preventing Violence: The Role of Awareness

In 2019, TELL hosted a screening of Shiori Ito’s first documentary, Japan’s Secret Shame. At the time, many people felt unsafe or were harassed for speaking openly about this topic in Japan. While Japan has made strides since then in addressing sexual violence, there’s still so much to do. Shiori Ito’s Academy Award nominated documentary Black Box Diaries sheds light on survivors’ challenges in pursuing justice. Her story resonates deeply, as many still struggle to speak up in a society where silence often feels safer.

As an NPO supporting mental health in the international community in Japan, offering toll-free lifeline services in English and counseling in multiple languages, we believe an accurate understanding of consent and the law is vital—not just to protect victims but also to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to unintended harm. The revised sexual crime laws in Japan (July 2023) clarify that coercion doesn’t require explicit violence or threats. Consent is about the ability to freely express and maintain one’s will—this applies in all cases but can be even more important where power dynamics or alcohol are involved. If saying “no” has negative consequences, any given “yes” is meaningless.

Education is key. By informing the public, especially young people, we can aim to reduce crimes, empower survivors, and foster a society that values dignity and respect for all.

If you’ve seen Japan’s Secret Shame or Black Box Diaries, we’d love to hear how it moved you. Together, let’s keep the conversation going and ensure that no one regrets speaking their truth.

#ConsentMatters #JusticeForSurvivors #EndSexualViolence

(https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Why-an-Oscar-nominated-film-has-been-met-with-silence-in-Japan)

Japanese book : https://www.amazon.co.jp/Black-Box-%E4%BC%8A%E8%97%A4-%E8%A9%A9%E7%B9%94/dp/4163907823; 

English translation: https://www.amazon.co.jp/-/en/Shiori-Ito/dp/1952177979).

You can find more information and services through wikitell – our information database.