The operators, recognizing the call was made by the lawmakers, immediately asked them not to clog up the line.
The ministry asked the public not to dial 113 unless they have a genuine case to report.
Those who are caught calling the hotline for other purposes could be fined from NT$3,000 to NT$15,000 as stipulated in the Family Violence Prevention Act (家庭暴力防治法).
Meanwhile, several organizations yesterday urged parents not to treat their children as emotional punching bags and asked the public to immediately report any parents suspected of abuse.
“What happened with baby Huang is truly heart-wrenching. It is regrettable that there are still many parents who teach their children by using corporal punishment. Some even treat their children as emotional punching bags, tools of revenge or a bargaining chip in spousal disputes,” Child Welfare League Foundation Executive-director Alicia Wang (王育敏) said.
Oung Hui-yuan (翁慧圓), the head of the Social Resources Department of the Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, said: “During this time of economic tsunami, many unemployed parents are under heavy pressure. If somehow these parents feel they can not no longer keep their frustration in check, they should muster up the courage to seek help from friends and families or relevant organizations.”
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY HUANG AND FLORA WANG
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