Society Bringing a groper to justice

The account of a 45-year-old lawyer who, in her profession, took care of victims of sexual attacks and became the victim of a persistent groper herself was all over the morning news today. Not only was she injured when she pursued her attacker she also had to confront prosecutors who asked her why she didn't defend herself sooner (as if she was tolerating her abuse) and who told her that the perpetrator would only receive a summary indictment for violating the Tokyo ordinance against disturbing the peace and for inflicting injury!

It is rare for a victim of a sexual attack to come out and share her ordeal with the public.

With a summary indictment, the perpetrator would not face a trial and only be sentenced to a fine. "Is this the judicial system of Japan that draws a conclusion without a full investigation?" she questioned. She said she felt despair at the news and told the law firm that she worked for that she would quit. But then the lawyer who headed the firm protested to the prosecutors' office on behalf of Aoki, and a new prosecutor was assigned to her case. At the end of 2021, the man was indicted for indecent assault resulting in bodily injury.

Click to expand...

The attacker got a two-and-a-half-year sentence with four years suspended.

During the lay judge trial, which started in August this year, the man pleaded ignorance. "I thought it was OK to touch (her) as long as she did not say anything," he said. Aoki gave a statement describing her experience as a victim during the trial. "I was not treated as a human being who has a will," she said. "I still cannot cast aside the sense of humiliation." She recalled her decision to confront the man at the station. "I am exposed to crime through my work and even I had a lot of reluctance."

Click to expand...

thomas said:

The attacker got a two-and-a-half-year sentence with four years suspended.

Click to expand...

What does that mean? He serves no time unless he does some crime during the four years?

mdchachi said:

What does that mean? He serves no time unless he does some crime during the four years?

Click to expand...

Yes, that's how I read it, too.

強制わいせつ致傷の罪で起訴された男の裁判員裁判は先月末から開かれ、東京地裁は、懲役2年6か月、執行猶予4年の有罪判決を言い渡しました。

Click to expand...