Children's Counseling Office

Article ID 1009793　

About the Children’s Counseling Office

This office offers consultation services about children under 18. Consultations can be done in person and also via telephone. Know that you are not alone; please feel free to call us toll-free. Everything discussed will be kept in the strictest confidence. This is a free service and you can also make appointments to speak to us in person.

Hours: 8:30 am to 5:15 pm (weekdays)

Services Available

Our specialized staff, including child welfare officers and child therapists, are here to support the needs of each child and to help find solutions to issues and offer advice for each situation.

Services include:

Psychological diagnosis, counseling
Information on facilities which can help
Working together with schools, the police, and other related organizations
Temporary custody
Helping to put children into protective service care
Foster Parenting (Japanese), as well as other similar services

Consultation Topics

Child Development Issues

We offer counsel regarding child development issues and mental/physical disabilities. For example:

My child still hasn’t learned to talk yet
My child doesn’t seem to understand what I’m saying
I think my child might be developing slower than the others
My child has a physical disability

Personality Disorders, Acting Out, Parenting

We offer counsel about personality disorders, acting out, shut-in behavior, frequent absenteeism, and more. For example:

My child doesn’t play with their friends
My child is fidgety/bites their nails/often violent and extremely selfish/has started lying
My child wets their pants/can’t stop sucking their fingers
My child doesn’t want to go to school/kindergarten

Delinquency

We offer counsel regarding all delinquent behaviors. For example:

My child is out late at night/often doesn’t come home
My child was caught shoplifting/often takes money from the house
My child doesn’t go to school/acts violent towards their parents
My child is huffing paint thinner

Child Raising Issues

We offer counsel for those who can’t raise their kids due to illness (or other reasons), and for those feeling anxious/stressed about raising children. For example:

There’s no one to take care of the child as their guardian has been hospitalized
A child’s parents have left them: is there a facility which will take care of them?
I’m feeling anxious and scared about raising my child/I’m stressed out and angry every day

Abuse

We offer child abuse counsel and accept reports of abuse, such as the following. Counseling over the phone is available 24 hours a day, including nights and weekends.

There’s a child who howls and cries every night in my neighborhood
There’s a child at kindergarten with lots of bruises on their body
There’s a child who plays until late and doesn’t seem to want to go home
It seems like there’s no parent or guardian at home to take care of the child
I know it’s wrong, but I’ve been hitting my child

Working Together to Stop Child Abuse

Abuse prevents the healthy growth and development of children, and leaves lasting damages both physically and psychologically.

If you suspect child abuse, do not hesitate to contact the Children’s Counseling Office. Everything discussed will be kept in the strictest confidence. Early detection, early action saves lives - help us put a stop to child abuse.

Notes About Child Abuse

Child abuse refers to cases in which physical and/or psychological trauma are inflicted on children by their parents or guardians. It can also refer to cases in which the healthy growth and development of children is hindered by their parents or guardians. It’s a serious social issue which poses a real and present threat to the lives of children.

Types of Child Abuse

Type	Explanation
Physical abuse	Causing bodily injury or pain (punching, kicking, etc)
Neglect	Neglecting/refusing to care for a child, i.e. not feeding them or bathing them; ignoring physical abuse inflicted by a household member
Psychological abuse	Inflicting psychological damage with words like “I wish you were never born,” and other harmful words; psychological wounds from DV
Sexual abuse	Engaging in sexual acts or sexual violence

Citizens are obligated to report cases of suspected child abuse to the Children’s Counseling Office or the Child/Family Consultation Corner of their local ward office.

Early detection, early action saves lives. Help us in the fight against child abuse.

Inquiries

2-15-55 Hikari-machi, Higashi-ku, Hiroshima
Phone: 082-263-0694 / Fax: 082-263-0705
Mail: [email protected]