Kaohsiung Teacher Sues Student for Assault, Apology After Incident Not Enough

A female teacher in Kaohsiung has pursued legal action against a student who verbally abused and physically assaulted her during a class two years ago. The incident resulted in bruises to the teacher's face and abdomen.

Despite the student's subsequent apology, the teacher, identified as Ms. Liu, insisted on filing a lawsuit. The student, who is reportedly a special education student, had a prior record of similar misconduct towards teachers. The court acknowledged the student's apology but noted that the student understood that hitting people was wrong.

The Qiaotou District Court ruled that even though the student has limited legal capacity, they possessed the ability to recognize the wrongfulness of their actions and the potential harm they could cause. The court also considered the parents' role in supervision and education, stating that an apology after the fact does not absolve them of responsibility.

Consequently, the court ordered the student and their parents to jointly pay NT$6,680 in compensation to the teacher. This amount covers medical expenses and damages for emotional distress. The ruling is subject to appeal.