New Anti-harassment, Stalking Act Takes Effect in June 跟蹤騷擾防治法6月上路 明訂8大觸法行為

An anti-harassment and stalking law is set to take effect in June. According to Taipei City Police Department's Rapid Transit Division, it handled 10 stalking and harassment cases in 2020 and 27 in 2021.

A woman wearing a black floral skirt surnamed Huang in her 30s boarded a Taipei Metro car in November 2021. Shortly after sitting down, a stranger appeared in front of her. On this day, Huang changed her seat twice. The 27-year-old man surnamed Wu, who is circled in the footage, followed her and changed his seat when she did. Huang immediately pressed the emergency intercom button to get assistance. She unexpectedly encountered this man again in January this year.

Sung Chun-liang, Captain, Criminal Affairs Div., Rapid Transit Div., Taipei City PD: “Ms. Huang realized that she was once again being stalked by this man. She immediately pressed the emergency intercom button in the car to notify the driver. The metro police and station personnel immediately arrived to handle the situation. The Department of Social Welfare will be handling the follow-up in accordance with the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act. ”

The police cited the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act to refer the case to prosecutors, and appropriate legal action will be taken against future illicit behavior. According to statistics compiled by Taipei City Police Department's Rapid Transit Division, it handled 10 stalking and harassment cases in 2020 and 27 in 2021. There were four cases in January this year.

Sung Chun-liang, Captain, Criminal Affairs Div., Rapid Transit Div., Taipei City PD: “Riders are asked to be vigilant when on the metro. They and their belongings should maintain an appropriate distance from others to protect themselves and avert controversies. Anyone who feels they are harassed or stalked can speak up and report the case to authorities.”

An anti-harassment and stalking law is set to take effect on June 1. It defines stalking and harassment as continuous or repeated actions. Illegal behaviors include stalking, watching and trailing, discriminatory or demeaning behavior, online harassment, fraudulent use of personal information, tarnishing reputations, sending objects, and pursuing a relationship in an inappropriate manner. The maximum punishment is a five-year sentence and a NT$500,000 fine.

去年11月，身穿黑色花裙的30歲黃小姐，才剛在捷運車廂座位坐下來不久，一位男子隨後便出現在她眼前。這天黃小姐變換車廂位置2次，畫面中紅色圈圈框的這位27歲巫姓陌生男子，也跟著變換位子尾隨。她立刻按下緊急對講機求援，沒想到今年1月，她又在末班車廂遇到這名男子。

捷運警察隊刑事組長宋俊良表示:「黃女驚覺，又遭該跟蹤男子尾隨，立即按下車廂內緊急對講機通知司機員，捷警及站務人員立即到場處置，並依性騷擾防治法移請主管機關
社會局裁處。」

警方依性騷擾防治法移送地檢署裁處，未來將再視有無觸法行為，再作適法究辦。根據捷運警察隊所受理的跟蹤騷擾案件統計，109年共有10件，110年增加至27件，今年光是1月，也已經發生4件。

宋俊良提醒民眾:「搭乘捷運隨時保持警覺，並適度與隨身物品、與他人保持距離，即可自保也能避免爭議。如有感覺遭受侵犯或跟蹤尾隨騷擾，可立即出聲制止，勇敢報案。」

跟蹤騷擾防治法將於6月1日上路，對特定人反覆或持續違反其意願，8大行為包括跟蹤尾隨、盯哨守候、歧視貶抑、通訊騷擾、冒用個資、妨害名譽、寄送物品及不當追求，都有可能觸法。跟蹤騷擾者，最重可處五年有期徒刑，併科50萬元罰金。