Taiwan proposes stricter sexual harassment laws after #MeToo erupts

TAIPEI - Taiwan's cabinet on Thursday (July 13) proposed stricter laws against sexual harassment as a recent surge in allegations brought the #MeToo movement to the island nearly six years after it gained global prominence.

The proposed reforms of Taiwan's three gender equality laws introduce harsher penalties for perpetrators, lengthen the statute of limitations for filing complaints, and increase resources to support victims.

The #MeToo movement - ignited in 2017 by accusations of sexual misconduct against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein - saw women around the world take to social media to disclose their experiences with sexual harassment, spawning investigations and toppling high-profile men from positions of power.

Addressing workplace harassment that takes advantage of power imbalances is a priority for Taiwan's reforms, Lo Ping-cheng, minister without portfolio who led the cabinet's efforts, told a news conference after a meeting during which the cabinet proposed the legal amendments.

Under the revised laws, an employer found guilty of sexual harassment could be fined up to T$1 million (S$42,677) and jailed for up to three years.

Referring to the current lack of penalties for employers, Lo said, "We will close this loophole this time".

Taiwan's #MeToo movement began at the end of May, when a former staffer at the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) publicly recounted her experience of sexual harassment and a party official dismissed her complaint.

Her Facebook post sparked a wave of sexual harassment and assault allegations that has spread beyond the political sphere to other sectors ranging from academia to the entertainment industry.

More than 70 meetings were held in less than one month to ensure that the cabinet could complete the legal work in "the fastest and most rigorous" fashion, cabinet spokesperson Lin Tze-luen said.

The proposed amendments have been submitted to parliament for approval by lawmakers. The measures accompanying the legal reforms include setting up a counselling hotline and training more case investigators.

Senior DPP officials including President Tsai Ing-wen have apologised to the sexual harassment victims and the public over the allegations.

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