Repurposing residential facilities for child abuse prevention: case study of the Mie Hot Spot Model for multiple-birth families in Japan.

INTRODUCTION

Multiple-birth families (having twin, triplet, or larger births) face a disproportionately high-risk of child abuse resulting from chronic sleep deprivation and social isolation. However, community-based support often fails to address the fundamental need of such families for physiological rest. This policy note describes the Mie Hot Spot Model, an innovative intervention developed in Mie Prefecture, Japan, which repurposes maternity homes (boshi seikatsu shien shisetsu) into community respite hubs.

METHODS

By bringing underused residential capacity into use and providing professional staffing, this model provides high-intensity, 7-h separate care, guaranteeing parents the Right to Rest.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Preliminary administrative data (N = 45) and in-depth user interviews indicate that this approach has the potential to support parental resilience, potentially functioning as a critical gatekeeper for isolated families. We argue that the strategic repurposing of existing welfare infrastructure offers a cost-effective, scalable framework aimed at mitigating child abuse risks in resource-constrained contexts.