Taiwan toughens penalties for sexual harassment after wave of #MeToo allegations

Maximum jail term and fine have been increased and victims have more time to make a complaint under revised laws
It follows a series of claims against high-profile figures since late May that have rocked the island’s ruling party

Taiwan election 2024

Lawrence Chungin Taipei

Published: 8:30pm, 31 Jul 2023

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Taiwan has toughened penalties for sexual harassment after a wave of allegations against political and other high-profile figures in recent months.

The maximum jail term has been increased from two to three years, while the top fine has been doubled to NT$1 million (US$32,000). Victims also have more time to file a complaint – seven years instead of three.

They are among revisions to the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act and the Gender Equality in Employment Act that were passed by the legislature in Taipei on Monday.

Public support for President Tsai Ing-wen sank to its lowest level in four years in the wake of the #MeToo claims. Photo: Reuters

The amendments follow a series of #MeToo complaints since late May over sexual misconduct that implicated the government and ruling Democratic Progressive Party, as well as prominent figures beyond politics, as the island’s presidential election looms in January.

Under the revised laws, immediate action – such as an investigation – must be taken by superiors, supervisors or managers of any organisation to handle harassment complaints made by colleagues and staff. Failure to do so will be subject to a fine of NT$20,000 to NT$1 million.

Any organisation with a staff of 10 to 29 must set up a complaint system to deal with sexual harassment allegations, as was already required for those with more than 30 employees.

But complaints will not be accepted for cases dating back 10 years or more.

The legislation also bars media outlets, individuals or groups from revealing the personal data of victims. A fine of up to NT$600,000 applies for doing so.

Public support for President Tsai Ing-wen plunged to its lowest level in four years in June after her government and the DPP were caught up in the #MeToo claims.

Tsai has apologised twice over cases of sexual misconduct and assault that were alleged to have happened while she was head of the party. One of her senior advisers was implicated in one case and a retired judge in another, though both have denied the accusations.

The island’s leader pledged to revise the legislation to better protect victims and toughen penalties for perpetrators.

DPP presidential candidate William Lai has brought in gender equality training for party members. Photo: Reuters

Facing harsh criticism from his opponents, DPP presidential candidate William Lai Ching-te – who took over from Tsai as head of the party in January – also called for reform to improve party discipline and ensure that all sexual harassment allegations are handled appropriately.

Vice-President Lai, who remains ahead in the polls, has also brought in gender equality training for party members.

The wave of #MeToo cases emerged in late May when a former DPP staffer posted allegations on social media about a filmmaker working on a promotional project for the party. She also accused a DPP executive of covering up her complaint, leading to the resignation of that executive.

Sexual harassment claims have also been made against academics, television pundits, exiled mainland Chinese dissidents, former diplomats, judicial officials and celebrities.

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