The number of domestic violence consultations in Japan reached a record 82,643 in 2020, the highest since a law against spousal violence took effect in 2001, police data showed Thursday, as people spent more time at home amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The number of consultations over stalking stood at 20,189 last year, down 723 from 2019, but stayed above 20,000 for the eighth consecutive year since 2013.

Among the total number of domestic violence consultations, which increased 436 from 2019, 76.4% of the alleged victims were women. By age, 23.4% were in their 20s, 27.0% in their 30s and 22.9% in their 40s, according to the National Police Agency.