VICTIM’S RIGHTS:
The clocks would start on the statute of limitations when the victim turned 20, reflecting the nature of the situation in many cases
Staff writer, with CNA
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced draft amendments that would change the beginning of the statute of limitations in sexual assault cases involving minors to when a victim turns 20. The proposed amendments to the Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act (性侵害犯罪防治法) and the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (兒童及少年性剝削防制條例) are intended to ensure victims can seek justice after gaining a better understanding of their victimization and having greater agency to speak out, Department of Protective Services Director-General Kuo Tsai-jung (郭彩榕) said. Under current regulations, the statute of limitations begins from the date the offense was committed, making it difficult for victims abused as minors to pursue legal action after reaching adulthood, Kuo said on Sunday.
The logo of the Ministry of Health and Welfare is seen displayed in an undated photograph.
Photo: Chiu Chih-jou, Taipei Times
In many cases, perpetrators are adults known to the victim, leaving many victims unable to speak out because of uneven power dynamics or dependency relationships, she added. The draft amendments have a 30-day public notice period before being reviewed by the Cabinet and submitted to the legislature.
Kuo said the amendments align with a separate Cabinet proposal in January to revise the Criminal Code that addresses the statute of limitations for sexual assault cases involving minors. Currently, the statute of limitations in Taiwan for sex crimes involving minors varies depending on the type of offense. The proposed amendments also revise liability provisions for Internet service providers by shortening the deadline for removing sexually explicit content. Under the draft, service providers would be required to remove illegal nonconsensual sexual content and sexually explicit material involving minors within 24 hours of notification, while explicit content involving adults would have to be removed within 72 hours, Kuo said. She added that while such measures are already implemented through administrative regulations, the amendments would elevate them into statutory law to provide a stronger legal basis.