Atomic Energy Minister Sacked for Sexual Harassment 原能會主委謝曉星涉性騷遭免職 移送調查

The Executive Yuan released the results of its investigation of Atomic Energy Minister Hsieh Shou-shing for the sexual harassment of subordinates on Jan. 11.  Premier Su Tseng-chang said Hsieh will be dismissed and the case will be sent to the Control Yuan.

In October 2022, Atomic Energy Minister Hsieh Shou-shing was accused of sexually harassing and bullying female subordinates. Numerous legislators issued a joint declaration asking for Hsieh to be relieved of his duties and accept an investigation. The Executive Yuan formed a task force and spoke with 15 Atomic Energy Council employees and Hsieh. On Jan. 11, it released the results of its investigation, which said the charges against Hsieh are serious. Premier Su Tseng-chang said Hsieh's inappropriate behavior damaged the reputation of the government and he will be dismissed shortly and his case will be sent to the Control Yuan for investigation. Hsieh tendered his resignation after learning of the investigation results.

Wang Chung-te, Chief Secretary, Atomic Energy Council: “The Executive Yuan verbally summed it up for him. He then verbally resigned to not create trouble for the Executive Yuan's senior officials and the administration in power. He sent over his resignation this morning.”

The task force found that Hsieh treated subordinates differently based on gender. He was also too physical with some female subordinates. He would touch their bodies and make comments about their bodies and makeup.

Claire Wang, Legislator (NPP): “I feel that someone in politics, especially the head of an agency, should be more careful. From the media reports we saw, we can see from Hsieh Shou-shing's behavior that his understanding of gender equality is very weak.”

Lin Ching-yi, Legislator (DPP): “He only left after we all got together and demanded that he be suspended from his duties and accept an investigation. Now the results of the investigation are out. I think it needs to be completed as quickly as possible.”

Two Control Yuan members applied for an investigation after the case broke out to determine if he used his position to sexually harass or bully his female subordinates.

Yeh Ta-hua, Member, Control Yuan: “We started an investigation into this case on Oct. 5 (2022). We knew that the Executive Yuan was also investigating. The results are now out and we will use them as a reference.”

The AEC said it will strengthen awareness of the prevention of sexual harassment and review how it investigates and handles sexual harassment complaints. It will also prioritize gender equality education and training and raise awareness of rejecting sexual harassment using cases.

原能會主委謝曉星，去年10月，被爆出涉嫌性別騷擾及霸凌女部屬，多名女性立委，發表聯合聲明，要求謝曉星請假暫停職務接受調查。行政院組成專案小組，約詢15位的原能會職員以及謝曉星後，11日認定，謝曉星涉案情節重大，院長蘇貞昌認為他的不當言行影響公部門聲譽，即日起免職，移送監院調查；謝曉星得知調查結果後，11日一早，遞辭呈請辭。

原能會主秘王重德表示：「院裡面有先跟他稍微口頭講了一下，他為了不讓院裡面的長官，跟執政團隊造成困擾，所以說他就口頭表示請辭，然後今天早上已經把辭呈送過去了。」

專案小組調查，謝曉星選任秘書或機要時，以及部屬工作配置及請假時，會因為性別，而有差別待遇；而且對待部分女部屬，會過度接近，肢體接觸，甚至會評論女部屬的身材、化妝，違法事實明確。

時力立委王婉諭回應：「覺得的確在這個政治上，尤其是做為一個部會的主管，應該要小心，包含我們看到這個媒體的報導，謝曉星的個人行為，其實是整體跟性平觀念都非常的薄弱。」

民進黨立委林靜儀說：「直到我們大家聯名要求他，停職接受調查、他才辭啦，現在裁決的結果出來，我覺得很必要儘速的完成。」

而在謝曉星的性平案爆發後，監委葉大華、王美玉，已經申請自動調查，追查他是否利用權勢，性別騷擾女部屬或無故霸凌下屬。

監委葉大華指出：「這個案子我們在（去年）10月5日就已經進行立案調查了，那也知道行政院調查中嘛，那現在出來，我們會來一併做參考。」 

原能會則表示，未來將強化性別騷擾的防治意識，通盤檢討原能會的性騷擾的申訴調查處理要點，並且將性平教育訓練，列為重點，以案例方式，提升拒絕性騷擾的意識。