TAIPEI CITY: Taiwan is being rocked by an upsurge of sexual harassment and assault charges, allegedly driven by a Netflix show that has sparked a local MeToo movement.
Around the last two weeks, more than 90 people have spoken up, accusing people all around the island. Initially, the allegations focused on politics and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), from which numerous prominent officials resigned. They have, however, extended across Taiwanese culture, with allegations leveled against doctors, professors, sports umpires, and even YouTubers. A think tank researcher accused a Polish diplomat of sexual assault on Saturday.
For many women, this is a long-overdue moment in a Taiwanese society that is otherwise lauded across the world for its progressive policies and devotion to gender equality. Tsai Ing-wen, the island’s first female president, has apologized and promised reform. Dr. Liu Wen of Taiwan’s Sinica Academia, a social commentator, stated that they have previously experienced isolated incidences of sexual harassment, but never to this extent. He added that this is the first time that several basic issues in different industries have been highlighted all at once.
A woman in her 30s said that she felt compelled to seek justice again after being sexually harassed by her boss, a well-known environmental activist. Tseng, as she prefers to be known, claims she was stonewalled and ignored when she first sought repayment last year. When she spoke out online last week, the workplace and the activist both apologized. He also resigned, apologizing for some of his actions. Meanwhile, her inbox was filling up with messages from other women complaining about him.
