KMT Legislators Propose Referendum on Corporal Punishment Amid Rising Sexual Assault, Child Abuse, and Fraud Cases

Taipei, April 13 (CNA) In response to the persistent occurrence of serious crimes such as sexual assault, child abuse, and high-value fraud in recent years, KMT legislators including Hung Meng-kai today announced they would promote a 'corporal punishment referendum.' Hung Meng-kai explained that this is not about emotionally escalating punishments, but rather hoping to respond to the public's expectations for national protection and social safety through democratic and legal means. Hung Meng-kai, along with KMT legislators Lin Pei-hsiang, Lo Chih-chiang, Huang Chien-hao, Lin Te-fu, Liao Wei-hsiang, and Yang Chiung-ying, held a press conference today to announce the proposal of a policy referendum on 'Establishing a Special Criminal Law System for Specific Major Crimes (Corporal Punishment).' They advocate that the public should express their opinions on whether the state needs to establish a special criminal law system with greater deterrent effect for specific major crimes, following democratic procedures, as an important basis for subsequent institutional planning and legislative work. Hung Meng-kai stated that when sexual assault, child abuse, and major fraud cases repeatedly appear, and the nature of crimes becomes more malicious, complex, and organized, whether the state can still respond to society's expectations for public safety, procedural justice, and victim protection solely with the existing criminal penalty framework is a major policy issue that must be seriously addressed. Huang Chien-hao stated that the referendum is to respond to public opinion, and according to public opinion polls, 70% of the public supports introducing corporal punishment for crimes of sexual assault, child abuse, and fraud. Lo Chih-chiang called on DPP legislators to stand with public opinion and not vote against it. Liao Wei-hsiang emphasized that the referendum is not to directly write criminal law, but to allow the public to express whether Taiwan should establish a special criminal penalty system for sexual assault, child abuse, high-value fraud, and aggravated fraud. Lin Pei-hsiang stated that proposing a referendum is not to deny human rights, but to restore the dignity and safety that victims deserve while protecting the rights of perpetrators. He understands that this is a difficult and controversial issue, but it cannot be avoided, and the people should be allowed to speak. The spirit of the referendum is to return the right of choice to the people. He hopes to initiate a rational debate and discussion on how to find a balance between protecting human rights and deterring crime in a society governed by the rule of law.