Premier Jiang Yi-huah today directed government agencies to strengthen domestic abuse reporting and prevention networks in communities, and to increase public awareness of prevention to help reduce the incidence of domestic violence.
"Through the efforts of the public and private sectors, the number of reported cases has grown in recent years, indicating that more victims are reaching out for help," Jiang said after the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW) report to the Cabinet on interdisciplinary efforts to prevent domestic violence.
The premier said the only way for the MOHW to effectively prevent domestic abuse is to analyze the causes and forms of abuse and come up with more proactive measures, adding that it is not enough to simply encourage victims to come forward. He also asked the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Education to assist in these efforts.
Domestic violence not only causes pain to victims and families but can also lead to tragedy and affect broader society, Jiang said. On June 24, 1998, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to provide legal protection to victims when it promulgated the Domestic Violence Prevention Act. Since then, its central and local governments have worked with civic groups to successfully establish prevention networks and offer assistance and care to victims.
Following the act's ratification, the MOHW has amended related laws, established one-stop reporting mechanisms, and integrated various resources. The ministry also offered more victim services such as safe shelters, employment guidance, life rebuilding assistance, financial and legal aid, and counseling and therapy. In 2013, the MOHW helped over 990,000 people and provided a total of NT$460 million (US$15.5 million) in assistance funds.
In addition to developing community prevention networks, the MOHW stepped up treatment and counseling measures for abusers as well. Of the civil protection orders issued in 2013, about 40 percent mandated the offender to undergo rehabilitation—a percentage five times higher than a decade ago. Police officers also made 12,000 visits to individuals at high risk of repeat offenses to forestall further abuse.
The MOHW said it will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary service networks and develop diverse programs to better help victims, prevent violence and rehabilitate offenders. It will also increase public awareness on preventive measures and build community networks so as to protect victims and children and prevent the cycle of abuse from continuing to the next generation.