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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Crime & Justice

Taiwan Official Reports Sexual Harassment on High-Speed Train

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • A Taiwanese political party official reported being subjected to persistent physical harassment by a neighboring passenger on a high-speed train.
  • The official described feeling fear and disgust, eventually seeking help through the train's customer service and reporting the incident to the police.
  • The official emphasized that victims should not feel shame and called for public non-silence and non-tolerance of sexual harassment.

Huang Chun-hsiang, director of the Hakka Affairs Department of Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), publicly shared a distressing experience of sexual harassment while traveling on a high-speed train. He reported that a fellow passenger repeatedly engaged in unwanted physical contact, using their hands and legs to rub against him.

My whole body froze.

— Huang Chun-hsiangThe DPP official described his immediate reaction to the unwanted physical contact.

Describing the ordeal on social media, Huang stated, "My whole body froze." He expressed feelings of nausea and near-tears fear, noting the profound terror such an experience can induce. Initially, his concern was not for his own safety but for not disturbing other passengers if he were to react or move away.

Encouraged by messages from a friend, Huang utilized the high-speed rail's real-time customer service via its website to secretly seek assistance. With the help of the train conductor, he was moved to a different seat, and the police were alerted. Officers boarded the train at the next station to handle the situation, and upon arrival at his destination, Huang accompanied them to complete a police report.

I felt so disgusted I wanted to vomit, and so scared I almost cried.

— Huang Chun-hsiangHe detailed his emotional and physical response to the harassment.

Huang emphasized his decision to speak out was to prevent others from enduring similar harassment. He conveyed a message of solidarity to fellow survivors, acknowledging that fear is a normal reaction. He strongly condemned the perpetrators, stating, "Those who turn others' fear into their own pleasure are the ones who should truly be ashamed." He urged the public to remain vocal and intolerant of sexual harassment.

Only after experiencing it yourself do you know how deep that fear is.

— Huang Chun-hsiangHuang reflected on the intensity of the fear induced by the harassment.

Authorities have reportedly taken Huang's report and are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the suspect. The police intend to summon the individual for questioning. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about public safety and the prevalence of sexual harassment in Taiwan.

The ones who should truly be ashamed are never the victims, but those who turn others' fear into their own pleasure.

— Huang Chun-hsiangHe condemned the perpetrators and challenged societal norms around victim blaming.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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