Taichung City Councilor Huang Jiatian Reports Online Sexual Harassment to Police, Supported by 7 Colleagues

(Central News Agency reporter Hao Xueqing, Taichung, 8th) Huang Jiatian, a Taichung City Councilor from the Kuomintang (KMT), discovered sexually harassing comments and obscene images on her Facebook fan page. Accompanied by seven fellow party councilors, she went to the Sixth Precinct of the Taichung City Police Department on the 8th to file a complaint and press charges, emphasizing that "the internet is not a lawless place" and that she would not tolerate it.

Huang Jiatian is the daughter of former KMT city councilor Li Lihua and was newly elected to the city council this term. She first received online sexually harassing comments two years ago. She stated that she had filed a complaint at that time and identified the commenter. Although the individual held a disability card, she chose not to settle, believing that it should not be used as a shield.

Huang stated that on the 4th, a user surnamed Zhang left obscene text in simplified Chinese characters in the comment section of her Facebook fan page. On the 8th, following the advice and accompanied by fellow party councilors Wu Chengxian, Wu Jiande, Zhang Yantong, Chen Wenzheng, Qiu Aishan, Yang Dahong, and Lai Shunren, she went to the Sixth Precinct to file a report and press charges. Unexpectedly, before filing the report, she received an obscene adult video from a different user, which she also included in the charges. The police stated that the case is being handled and investigated according to the law.

Huang said that what she shared online was content regarding a city council interpellation on traffic improvements for Provincial Highway 74. However, a user left comments in the public section that were sexually suggestive and explicit, completely unrelated to public policy. She stated this was not only uncomfortable but also crossed the line of normal expression.

Qiu Aishan pointed out that while it is part of a public representative's duties to communicate with the public via social platforms, it absolutely does not mean anyone can use online platforms for sexual harassment or malicious insults. Choosing silence in the face of inappropriate remarks only emboldens the perpetrator, and she hopes this serves as a reminder for the public to take online sexual harassment seriously.

Yang Dahong believes that gender equality should not just be a slogan. Society should jointly condemn any form of sexual harassment and sexual humiliation, ensuring everyone can participate in public discussions in a safe, friendly, and respectful environment.

Chen Wenzheng stated that while the government has actively promoted sexual harassment prevention and gender equality in recent years, taking a passive attitude towards online sexual harassment would significantly undermine these efforts. He called on the public, if encountering similar situations, to immediately take screenshots to preserve evidence and seek help from the police, legal professionals, or elected representatives. (Editor: Wu Surou) 1150608