Taichung Campus Sexual Assault and Public Sector Sexual Harassment Cases: New Power Party Demands Resignation of Two Directors

On April 14, the New Power Party (NPP), represented by chairperson Wang Wan-yu and local city councilor candidates Tsou Ming-yen and Tsai Pei-shan of the Obasan Alliance for Citizen Participation, protested at the Taichung City Government Plaza. They demanded the resignation of Taichung City Education Bureau Director Chiang Wei-min and Transportation Bureau Director Yeh Chao-fu. Chiang Wei-min's resignation was sought due to the Education Bureau's failure to verify coach qualifications in a campus baseball coach sexual assault case, for which the Bureau received two censures from the Control Yuan. Yeh Chao-fu was targeted for supervisory negligence in a sexual harassment case involving a former director of the Public Transportation and MRT Engineering Office, leading to his impeachment by the Control Yuan. Taichung City Mayor Lu Shiow-yen was criticized for her perceived inaction regarding these incidents. Yeh Chao-fu stated his respect for the Control Yuan's exercise of authority and pledged cooperation with the Disciplinary Court by providing necessary documents. The Taichung City Government responded by affirming its 'zero tolerance' principle for all forms of sexual harassment and campus gender equality incidents. They committed to prioritizing victims' rights, conducting strict investigations, holding responsible parties accountable, improving complaint reporting processes, and strengthening gender equality education within schools and public departments.