Pingtung cram school teacher convicted on appeal for harassing female student

A prominent cram school teacher in Pingtung, identified by the surname Lee, has been convicted on appeal for sexually harassing a 15-year-old female student. The incident involved Lee allegedly forcibly pulling the student onto his lap and rubbing her waist near her chest while she was helping him fix a cabinet door in his office.

An appellate court overturned a previous acquittal, finding Lee guilty of "sexual harassment by exploiting an opportunity." The court based its decision on consistent testimonies from multiple witnesses that corroborated the victim's account. Crucially, the victim's medical records from multiple visits to a mental health clinic after the incident served as strong supporting evidence.

The court emphasized that Lee, aware of the victim's minor status, exploited a private moment to commit the offense. The suddenness of the assault caused the student significant fear and distress, negatively impacting her academic life and requiring repeated mental health treatment. The court noted Lee's persistent denial of guilt and lack of reconciliation with the victim as factors indicating poor post-offense conduct, leading to the five-month prison sentence, commutable to a fine. The ruling can still be appealed.