Man Detained for Molesting 2 Students on School Campus; Magistrate Vows to Hold Negligent Staff Accountable

(CNA, Reporters Huang Kuo-fang, Tsai Chih-ming, Chiayi, 19th) A man surnamed Hou allegedly used his personal connections with staff at a school in Chiayi County to freely enter and exit the campus, where he is suspected of sneaking into a dormitory in April and successfully molesting two students. Police arrested and transferred him upon receiving a report, and the Chiayi District Prosecutors Office's request for detention was approved. Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang stated that the responsibility of relevant negligent personnel will be investigated. DPP Chiayi County Councilor Chen Po-lin stated during a general interpellation at the county council today that someone broke into a school dormitory in Chiayi County and molested and sexually harassed male students for two consecutive nights, criticizing the flawed campus management. Chen said that the perpetrator is neither a teacher, staff member, nor a parent, yet has lived at the school for several years, held a magnetic key card for the school's gate, entered and exited the campus freely 24 hours a day, and even entered the dormitory for two straight nights to molest students, which is outrageous. He questioned why a non-school employee had a restricted key card and why the Education Department failed to grasp the situation initially, demanding a review by the county government. Weng Chang-liang responded that this campus sexual assault incident is a matter of great significance and has now entered judicial proceedings. He stated that they will review whether there were lapses in internal management and pursue the responsibility of the relevant negligent personnel. The Chiayi District Court stated that Hou is suspected of entering the dormitory of the two victims four times in April this year and molesting them while they were asleep. The prosecution requested his detention on suspicion of an adult intentionally committing indecent assault against a minor by taking advantage of the opportunity. After questioning, Hou denied the act of molestation, but based on the evidence, the suspicion of his crime is significant. The court said that Hou could freely enter and exit the dormitory's common room late at night on more than one occasion, and was captured by surveillance cameras multiple times in April, indicating that Hou likely had a considerable degree of friendship with school personnel. Additionally, as Hou claimed to have a good relationship with the students, the court believed he might contact the victims to influence their testimony to evade punishment, posing a risk of collusion with witnesses. The court also noted that Hou was filmed committing the crime four times, and based on the follow-up handling by the Chiayi County Social Affairs Bureau, there is a possibility that the extent of victimization and the number of victims could expand. The court stated that the victims are minors with immature physical and mental states. For Hou, a rational adult, to be suspected of molesting minors would have a profound impact on the victims' future physical and mental development. Therefore, the court ruled to detain him without restricting visitation or communication. (Editor: Hsieh Ya-chu)