January 8, 2025—Today, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) held a press conference at Shuxin Hall for the release of the “Your Voice Is the Seed of Change”—Investigation Report for Youth and Child Sexual Assault on Campus and in Placement Facilities. Reporters and stakeholders in youth and children’s rights attended the conference. NHRC commissioners Chang Chu-fang and Tien Chiu-chin, who were the lead investigators on the case, shared the results alongside fellow commissioner Su Li-chiung. Through numerous interviews, the report addresses youth and child sexual assault prevention, identification, report, and handling while calling for a supportive and trusting environment where young adults and children can be heard.
The investigation marked the very first systemic investigation launched by the NHRC since its establishment it 2020. Commissioners aimed to identify the causes of child sexual assault and explore methods for its prevention and identification. Among the 74 participants interviewed, two thirds were sexual assault victims while the remaining third were individuals close to a victim. The report revealed that up to 80% of child sexual assault victims are only able to report the crime many years after the fact.
NHRC vice chairperson Wang Yu-ling cited statistics published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2023, which shows that sexual assault against minors accounted for a staggering 54.76% (5,155 victims) of all reported cases. Wang thanked every interviewee for sharing (or allowing those close to them to share) their traumatic experience so that the government and society at large can drive changes to create a safer space for other victims. “When it comes to addressing the structural issues that cause sexual harassment, every person has a voice, and every voice is a seed of change,” said Wang, who urged attendees to take child sexual assault seriously and work together to foster a safe environment that allows the younger generation to grow and prosper.
In his remarks, minister without portfolio Lin Ming-hsin pledged that the Executive Yuan will continue to protect children’s right to be heard—a fundamental right set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)—by fostering a supportive environment where teenagers and children can freely express their concerns. According to Lin, human rights work is not merely about aligning with international standards; it requires internalizing these principles and applying them within the local context. In other words, Lin’s idea of successful human rights education is to guide people in reflecting upon how each human rights convention can be implemented in their own unique circumstances, a goal that government agencies and civic organizations alike need to work towards.
Chang, the lead investigator on the case, found that the majority of sexual assault and abuse cases involved faculty members at schools exploiting students’ trust to abuse, manipulate, or put them in compromising situations, sometimes initiating unwarranted physical contact. The investigation also shed light on peer bullying, which usually entails sexual harassment/abuse, inappropriate physical touch, verbal abuse, or social engineering through peer or relational pressure. Most victims are too young to seek help when the abuse happens.
Tien, the co-investigator on the case, shared a few actual cases to demonstrate how assaults can occur and why many children decide to remain silent and not seek help. He urged the public to abandon stereotypes about what a victim should look like, emphasizing that everyone reacts to assault in different ways.
Su proposed several recommendations to address the lack of a support system for underage sexual assault victims. Firstly, instead of asking interrogative questions that might be construed as doubt over the child’s statement, investigators should make sure the child feels supported and heard, respecting their right to be heard and bodily autonomy as outlined in the CRC. To systematically prevent sexual assault and abuse, gender equality education is essential. Educators must be equipped with gender awareness to create a safe and inclusive campus while upholding clear ethical boundaries between teachers and students. Su also suggested ensuring the independence of investigation, fortifying the mechanism for handling sexual equality complaints, preventing secondary injuries during the investigation process, creating a support system for investigators, and extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault and the duration of protection offered to whistleblowers.
The NHRC reaffirmed its stance that sexual assault against children is more than personal suffering of victims but a critical societal issue that demands urgent action. The full investigation report is available via The Commission urges the general public to take the initiative to get educated on this matter and take action to drive changes, enabling every child to grow up in a safe and loving environment.