It is unjust when someone who summons the courage to report abuse ends up having to leave the organization. Why did this happen in a prosecutors office in Japan, which should be standing with victims? That must be made clear.

A female prosecutor who reported being a victim of sexual violence by Kentaro Kitagawa, the former chief prosecutor of the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office and her superior at the time, has submitted her resignation. She said she "can no longer endure" the organization's dishonest response.

The woman had asked the justice minister and the prosecutor-general to set up an independent committee to investigate harassment within the prosecutors office, including her own case. But there appears to be no prospect that request will be accepted.

She also cited as a reason for resigning the fact that, even after she asked her superiors to provide a job environment where she could work with peace of mind and attached a written medical opinion, that was never realized.

What cannot be overlooked is her claim that she suffered secondary victimization. She says that although defamatory rumors about her spread inside the office, senior officials did nothing.

Sex crimes are sometimes called a "murder of the soul." The woman was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and had to take leave from work. There is no choice but to say that those around her showed a disturbing lack of consideration for her condition.

The defendant was indicted on a charge of "quasi-rape" for allegedly sexually assaulting the woman after she became heavily intoxicated at a social gathering. At the first hearing he admitted to the charges, but has since shifted to claiming innocence, saying, "I believed there was consent."

After the incident, the woman was given a written message from the defendant saying things including, "If this becomes public, the Osaka District Public Prosecutors Office will no longer be able to function as an organization." Fearing that she might cause trouble for the office, she was long unable to come forward about what had happened to her.

After the first trial hearing, prosecutors added to the charges the claim that the defendant committed sexual violence by exploiting his position as the head of the district prosecutors office. It is a case built on the abuse of his influence over a subordinate.

The prosecutors office is expected to maintain strong internal unity so that the handling of cases does not vary from one prosecutor to another. Because its work involves criminal investigations, the organization tends to become closed off and can fall into self-righteousness. It is essential to bring in outside eyes and examine whether those characteristics and that institutional culture helped produce this harm.

Prosecutors hold a monopoly on criminal prosecution. The foundation of that power is public trust. Support for the woman is also spreading. The prosecutors office must face that reality with sincerity.