Sex and Dignity: Insights from Recent News

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Watching the news, I found myself wondering whether the broad definition of "sexual violence" used by the World Health Organization (WHO) differs from the more commonly understood meaning of "性暴力" (sexual violence) in Japanese.  

In a report submitted by the third-party committee established by Fuji Media Holdings and Fuji Television, there was a reference to the definition of sexual violence as defined by the WHO. According to the report, sexual violence includes "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, acts of prostitution, or other acts directed at a person’s sexuality using coercion. These acts can occur regardless of the relationship with the victim and in any setting, including the home and workplace. In this definition, 'coercion' is not limited to physical force, but also includes psychological intimidation, blackmail, and other threats, with the degree of coercion not being a necessary factor."

Through our hotline and outreach activities, we hear the voices of children and young people who have experienced sexual violence. Most of the survivors we encounter are suffering from forms of sexual violence as defined by the WHO.

Rather than physical violence, what they often bear are deep emotional wounds. These wounds, though varying in severity from person to person, undeniably damage the victim’s sense of self. When we reflect on this, it becomes clear that sexual violence is not only an act of physical violation, but a profound harm to the heart—a violation of one’s dignity and humanity. It is no exaggeration to say that sexual violence is an assault on a person’s worth as a human being.  

When faced with the reality of such harm, we are compelled to ask: what is "sexuality" in the first place? Human life begins through the reproductive act between a man and a woman. In that sense, being “male” or “female” forms the basis for the creation of life. Since life itself is synonymous with a human being, it can be said that it represents the very essence of a person’s worth — their dignity.

The body parts commonly referred to as “private parts” — such as the mouth, chest, buttocks, and genitals — are all associated with sexual activity. The mouth takes in food, water, and air from the outside world. The chest nourishes infants. The anus and urinary tract expel waste. And the genitals are responsible for reproduction. These parts, while physically connected to the outside world, are directly tied to the continuation of life.

When someone touches these areas without consent, it becomes a serious issue — perhaps because being touched in our most vulnerable areas instinctively signals a threat to our very life. And ultimately, it may be that such acts violate not only the body but also the dignity — the very core — of a person.

As children enter puberty their bodies start to change into ones capable of creating life. Internally, they begin to take an interest in the opposite sex and experience sexual desire.

The issue is that many young people do not know how to deal with these physical changes and sexual urges. While most children are given some education about sexuality as a reproductive function, the risks of sexually transmitted infections, or the possibility of pregnancy, very few are taught — from early childhood and in age-appropriate ways — how to value their own sexuality and that of others.

What is even more concerning is that the internet rarely offers any opportunity for children to learn about human dignity. On the contrary, through sexualized manga, anime, games, apps and pornography, many children are being guided toward the idea that it is acceptable to violate another person’s dignity and exert control over others to satisfy their own sexual desires.

While adults may say, “Let sleeping dogs lie,” children are, in reality, being exposed to these dangerous messages in a defenseless state. When satisfying one's own sexual desire becomes the highest priority, the other person ceases to be a human being with dignity and instead becomes merely a tool.

Victims who are treated like tools and have their dignity trampled on suffer deep emotional wounds. Meanwhile, perpetrators hide what they have done, fearing that if their actions come to light, they will lose social trust — and ultimately, their own dignity will be damaged.

Until now, it has generally been assumed that victims of sexual violence — those whose dignity as human beings is violated — are primarily women. However, since around 2023, we have increasingly received consultations from boys and men, especially those who have fallen victim to sextortion.

Sextortion refers to a form of exploitation in which, particularly in the case of men, individuals are manipulated through sexual arousal into sending sexual images or performing sexual acts in front of a camera. Afterward, they are threatened that these images or videos will be shared with their followers or contacts, and are coerced into paying money or providing other forms of compensation.

Those who fall victim to sextortion are often left terrified, unable to sleep, and driven to the brink of despair — some even expressing thoughts of self-harm. This is because sexuality is a deeply personal matter and not something for the broader public. In such situations, one may begin to feel the following, leading to a deep wound to their sense of dignity:

• The most private and sensitive aspects of oneself are exposed, leading to a feeling of being trampled in one’s most defenseless state.

• The misuse of such images gives rise to a deep sense of disgust and humiliation, as though one's "shameful side" has been put on display.

• Trusting another person — or acting on one’s own desires — is thrown back at the victim as "foolishness," leaving their self-esteem severely damaged.

• Having one’s sexuality exposed in a way that is out of their control, being reduced to someone else’s "tool," leads to a sense that their very masculinity has been violated.

• In cases where sex becomes a dynamic of "dominance" and "submission," the realization of having been placed in the "submissive" position inflicts deep humiliation.

And so on…

Until now, it has primarily been women and children who have suffered the humiliation of being treated as someone else's "tool," as described above. But today, we are entering an era in which even sexually mature men are becoming victims. It is time for men, too, to raise their voices and say how deeply important and meaningful sexuality truly is.

If the general understanding of “sexual violence” in Japanese society still mainly refers to acts involving physical force, then it is all the more vital for men to stand up and say, “That’s not the full picture!”

In schools, we must begin to teach students — using real-life examples like these — the importance of respecting both their own and others’ sexuality. Doing so is not just about sex education; This could serve as an opportunity for students to reflect on what it truly means to live with dignity as a human being.