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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Culture & Society

Taiwanese Councilor Files Harassment Lawsuit Over Vulgar Facebook Comments

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A female councilor in Taichung, Taiwan, has filed a police report against a male netizen for online sexual harassment.
  • The netizen allegedly posted sexually suggestive and vulgar comments on the councilor's Facebook page, unrelated to her post about public policy.
  • The councilor, accompanied by other lawmakers, urged the public to report similar harassment and emphasized that the internet is not a lawless space.

Taichung City Councilor Huang Chia-tien has filed a police report against a male netizen for allegedly engaging in online sexual harassment. The incident occurred after Huang, a councilor for the Beitun District, posted a video of a municipal policy inquiry on her official Facebook page. A netizen identified by the surname Chang allegedly left vulgar and sexually suggestive comments in the post's comment section, which were unrelated to the content and caused distress.

The internet is not a lawless land.

— Huang Chia-tienTaichung City Councilor emphasizing that online behavior is subject to legal consequences.

Huang, accompanied by seven other city councilors, including Chang Yen-tung and Chen Wen-cheng, went to the Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Bureau to file the complaint. She stated that the comments were not only inappropriate but also crossed the line of acceptable public discourse. Initially, she considered ignoring the comments, assuming they might be from an overseas account. However, upon discovering the netizen had mutual friends, she decided to take action.

"The internet is not a lawless land," Huang declared at a press conference. She urged the public to bravely report and legally pursue those who engage in similar verbal and text-based harassment. "If you encounter similar verbal and text harassment, do not tolerate it. Bravely collect evidence and file a lawsuit according to the law, and jointly curb online violence," she implored.

If you encounter similar verbal and text harassment, do not tolerate it. Bravely collect evidence and file a lawsuit according to the law, and jointly curb online violence.

— Huang Chia-tienCouncilor Huang urging the public to take action against online harassment.

Other councilors present voiced their support. Councilor Wu Cheng-hsien stressed that freedom of speech must be based on mutual respect and should not be used to harm others' dignity. Councilor Lai Shun-jen echoed this sentiment, supporting Huang's move to defend her rights and hoping the case serves as a reminder for others to speak out against harassment. Councilor Chiu Ai-shan added that online sexual harassment can negatively impact children and adolescents, and society should not remain silent or lenient towards such behavior. The Sixth Precinct confirmed it has accepted the report and is proceeding with evidence collection and legal procedures.

Freedom of speech must be based on mutual respect and should not be used to harm others' dignity.

— Wu Cheng-hsienCouncilor Wu Cheng-hsien commenting on the principles of free speech in relation to online conduct.
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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