Social Worker Groups Protest at Executive Yuan, Demanding State Apology and Focus on Systemic Flaws
Following the conviction of a social worker in a child abuse case, social worker groups protested at the Executive Yuan, demanding that the state take responsibility as the ultimate guarantor of child welfare and address systemic failures rather than scapegoating frontline workers.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 13:30
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(CNA Reporter Lai Yu-chen, Taipei, 22nd) In the tragic case of the abused boy 'Kai-kai', the Taipei District Court recently sentenced Child Welfare League Foundation social worker Chen Shang-chieh to two years in prison for involuntary manslaughter. The full judgment dedicated significant length to arguing Chen's position as a guarantor. Multiple social worker organizations rallied in front of the Executive Yuan today, stating that only the state holds the ultimate guarantor status for children's right to life and survival. They demanded the state stop pressing the burden onto frontline social workers, issue a formal apology, and face the reality that the system failed to catch the child.
In the Kai-kai abuse and death case, the Taipei District Court sentenced Chen to two years. The approximately 12-page judgment elaborated on her guarantor position, indicating it was based on an assessment of the specific case and not merely derived from her profession. The court found that Chen neglected her duty to act as a guarantor, abandoned her professional stance, and blindly believed the absurd excuses of the babysitter, leading to repeated missed rescue opportunities, hence the 2-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The case can be appealed.
Various civil groups, including the Taipei Social Workers Union, gathered in front of the Executive Yuan today. In addition to submitting a petition, they chanted slogans such as 'Social workers refuse to be scapegoats, the state must shoulder the guarantor status; the state must apologize, the system must change; social workers are system patchers, not criminals,' urging the state to resolve structural issues.
Huang Chun-chia, director of the Hualien Social Workers Union, stated that social workers stood up today not merely to vent emotions, but because they care about the nation and the land, whether a child is properly caught by the safety net, and whether social welfare and justice are truly implemented, rather than forcing social workers to bear all pressure amid insufficient resources and systemic limitations.
Ah-chueh, a representative from the Kaohsiung Social Workers Union with 20 years of experience, shared that she visits cases daily by scooter, holding onto sincerity and the belief of helping others. However, the past two years have delivered a shocking lesson, making her realize social workers might be handcuffed, sued, forced to hire lawyers, or targeted in witch hunts. Despite wanting to continue her work, the numerous risks leave her highly anxious and fearful.
She noted that the identity of a social worker is granted by the state, yet when incidents occur, they are left to save themselves, making people wonder where the state—the big boss—really is.
The protesting groups submitted their petition and joint signatures, which were received by a representative from the Executive Yuan's Department of Internal Affairs, Health, Welfare, and Labor.
The petition's demands include: First, the state must formally apologize, face the fact that the system failed to catch the child, and acknowledge that the state is the true guarantor of children's right to life, rather than pushing this onto frontline workers. Second, stop superficial 'policy highlights' and 'enhancement' procedures, and conduct a comprehensive review of the systemic disconnects between childcare, social assistance, housing policies, family support, and child protection to carry out systemic reform.
Third, the state should proactively explain systemic limitations to the public, prevent the spread of exaggerated blame cultures, stop using frontline workers and agencies as outlets for societal frustration, and block cognitive warfare that damages national social solidarity, thereby improving risk resilience against social incidents. Fourth, review meetings and procedures for major incidents must include frontline workers to jointly participate in analysis and investigation.
In the Kai-kai abuse and death case, the Taipei District Court sentenced Chen to two years. The approximately 12-page judgment elaborated on her guarantor position, indicating it was based on an assessment of the specific case and not merely derived from her profession. The court found that Chen neglected her duty to act as a guarantor, abandoned her professional stance, and blindly believed the absurd excuses of the babysitter, leading to repeated missed rescue opportunities, hence the 2-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The case can be appealed.
Various civil groups, including the Taipei Social Workers Union, gathered in front of the Executive Yuan today. In addition to submitting a petition, they chanted slogans such as 'Social workers refuse to be scapegoats, the state must shoulder the guarantor status; the state must apologize, the system must change; social workers are system patchers, not criminals,' urging the state to resolve structural issues.
Huang Chun-chia, director of the Hualien Social Workers Union, stated that social workers stood up today not merely to vent emotions, but because they care about the nation and the land, whether a child is properly caught by the safety net, and whether social welfare and justice are truly implemented, rather than forcing social workers to bear all pressure amid insufficient resources and systemic limitations.
Ah-chueh, a representative from the Kaohsiung Social Workers Union with 20 years of experience, shared that she visits cases daily by scooter, holding onto sincerity and the belief of helping others. However, the past two years have delivered a shocking lesson, making her realize social workers might be handcuffed, sued, forced to hire lawyers, or targeted in witch hunts. Despite wanting to continue her work, the numerous risks leave her highly anxious and fearful.
She noted that the identity of a social worker is granted by the state, yet when incidents occur, they are left to save themselves, making people wonder where the state—the big boss—really is.
The protesting groups submitted their petition and joint signatures, which were received by a representative from the Executive Yuan's Department of Internal Affairs, Health, Welfare, and Labor.
The petition's demands include: First, the state must formally apologize, face the fact that the system failed to catch the child, and acknowledge that the state is the true guarantor of children's right to life, rather than pushing this onto frontline workers. Second, stop superficial 'policy highlights' and 'enhancement' procedures, and conduct a comprehensive review of the systemic disconnects between childcare, social assistance, housing policies, family support, and child protection to carry out systemic reform.
Third, the state should proactively explain systemic limitations to the public, prevent the spread of exaggerated blame cultures, stop using frontline workers and agencies as outlets for societal frustration, and block cognitive warfare that damages national social solidarity, thereby improving risk resilience against social incidents. Fourth, review meetings and procedures for major incidents must include frontline workers to jointly participate in analysis and investigation.