TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Director-general Chang Hsiu-yuan (張秀鴛) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (衛生福利部) Department of Protective Services (保護服務司) clarified on Tuesday (July 16) that the belief that sexual assault cases cannot be reported is a misunderstanding.
Her statement came after reports of a male teacher at a private kindergarten in Taipei who allegedly sexually assaulted multiple young children, sparking widespread discussion about media coverage of sexual assault cases.
Chang emphasized that kindergartens are not classified as schools; thus, reporting their names is permissible.
She also stated that Article 69 of the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act (兒童及少年福利與權益保障法) mandates that media, government agencies, and others cannot disclose information that could identify child victims, such as names, images, or voices.
Chang further explained that in domestic cases where the perpetrator is a parent, primary caregiver, or guardian, the relationship between the perpetrator and the victim must also remain undisclosed.
She noted that the law mentions not revealing basic personal information, including school or class details, but clarified that kindergartens do not fall under the "school" category. She added that future legal amendments might remove the terms "school" and "class" to prevent public misunderstanding.
Reiterating her stance, Chang said the notion that sexual assault cases cannot be reported is incorrect, stating, "There is no such thing."
She also mentioned that information about perpetrators is not entirely restricted and that kindergartens, not being schools, are exempt from the reporting prohibition.