A former teacher in Hokkaido was ordered to pay 11 million yen in damages after a female student sued him for sexual violence, with the court recognizing the abuse of his position and the impact on the victim's mental health.
On April 20, the Sapporo District Court ruled in favor of a female plaintiff who suffered psychological trauma due to sexual abuse by a former teacher at a private high school in Hokkaido. The court partially recognized her claim for 19.8 million yen in damages, ordering the former teacher to pay 11 million yen. The judge highlighted that the teacher misused his superior position and violated the plaintiff's sexual autonomy, acknowledging the severe psychological consequences she faced, including the development of PTSD which significantly impacted her educational pursuits.
The ruling recognized the validity of the woman's claims that she had been subjected to 'grooming' by the teacher from her first year of high school, with the abuse continuing even after graduation. The court identified that the student, being a minor at the time, lacked the capacity to fully grasp the implications of the teacher's actions and manipulated her self-esteem to satisfy his sexual demands. This manipulation ultimately led to a situation where she felt powerless and incapable of resisting, compounded by societal pressures that made her feel responsible for the abuse.
During interviews before the ruling, the victim expressed the psychological burden of hearing the word 'teacher,' reflecting on the severe mental impact of the abuse. She described it as akin to brainwashing, where her resistance dwindled over time as she internalized the abuse as her fault. The court's acknowledgment of grooming raised significant concerns about the responsibilities of educational institutions in safeguarding students and the need for preventive measures against such abuses of power.
