We invited a guest speaker from the Victim Support Office of the Fukushima Prefectural Police Headquarters, Prefectural Resident Services Division, to give a talk to the upper grades.
This office provides a range of support for people affected by crime, including offering consultations and accompanying victims as needed.
They are also involved in activities that raise awareness about the pain experienced by crime victims and the importance of supporting them.

A written account by a parent who lost their child in an actual incident was shared during the session.
Students also watched a video that helped them consider how families feel when they lose a loved one in a traffic accident.
They learned, in concrete terms, how to interact with victims and what kinds of words might offer support.

Reflections:

  • “I want to listen and show compassion when someone is hurt, and try to understand their feelings.”
  • “Through this lesson, I learned how to approach someone who has been a victim. I want to treat them the same way I always would, without making them feel different.”
  • “If someone close to me were to pass away, I’d still like to talk about it without making the mood too heavy. I also thought about how we can reduce accidents that take lives.”
  • “I had never really thought about how victims of incidents feel. I want to apply what I learned to support people who have been hurt.”
  • “I didn’t know how to treat victims before, but now I understand. I don’t even want to imagine myself or my friends getting into an accident.”
  • “I was shocked to learn that there were 970 murder cases. If I had the chance to speak to a victim, I don’t think I’d be able to say anything. I realized how important it is to value life.”
  • “I hope I can apply what I learned about how to support victims.”
  • “I learned that even words meant to comfort someone might be hurtful to someone who has lost a loved one. I was reminded of how important it is to follow traffic signals to prevent accidents.”
  • “I now understand how victims may feel. I want to treasure the time I have with my family and friends.”
  • “In the video, when a fatal accident was reported, the news moved on right away with, “Next, in the news…” I thought this might show how even tragic events can be quickly forgotten by society.”