NTU reviews rapist's application

The department of sociology at National Taiwan University held its third seminar yesterday aimed at dealing with the possible enrollment this fall of a convicted serial rapist.

Chen Tung-sheng (陳東升), chairman of the department, offered explanations aimed at fending off criticism that heated discussions on campus have already hurt the feelings of the prospective student.

Chen stressed that the seminars were not aimed at any special case; instead, these talks were held to discuss "the procedures of parole" and how "counseling should be given to the inmates who are granted parole."

"By means of discussions and the lectures given by professionals, we aim to enable the public and student body to gain a greater understanding of the legal system relating to parole and the treatment and assistance needed for the individuals granted parole," Chen said.

"We hope students' and teachers' perspectives will be broadened through these discussions. [The seminars] are not directed at any particular case."

Altough the Ministry of Justice is still reviewing the application filed by the serial rapist known as the "Hwakang Wolf" that would enable him to become a student of Taiwan's top university, the incident has ignited passionate discussions on campuses across the nation.

Leaders of the Student Security Union, an organization formed af-ter the case was first publicized, urged the school yesterday to make sure the government promises to offer the assistance needed to handle the student.

In the meantime, the union requested that the school reveal measures aimed at dealing with the rapist's possible admission.

"The school authorities claimed that they have provisional measures lined up to handle the possible entrance of a serial rapist, but they never tell us what they are. Students have a right to know," said Hu Chia-chih (胡嘉志), a leader of the union.

"Besides, students have been excluded from the preparatory work," Hu said.

Hu also demanded students be part of the discussions when the school attempts to forge any contingency measures.

Hu said students have good reason to be concerned due to the limited amount of psychological counseling the rapist received after being incarcerated.

The rapist, surnamed Yang (楊), received nine months of group education and six months of group treatment soon after he entered prison in 1996. But he has not received any counseling or treatment in the past two years, according to media reports.

Yang was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1996 for multiple sex and violence offenses. According to the Shihlin District Court's judgment, Yang had raped 19 women, attempted to rape 11 others and robbed four individuals between 1994 to 1996. Most of his victims were college students.

To alleviate public anxiety, Yang has said he would be willing to accept chemical treatment to reduce his libido if paroled.

But Frank Huang (黃富源), a speaker at yesterday's seminar and a leading criminologist, disagreed with the measure.

He said the decision had to be made after thorough consideration in accordance with the law and that recklessly carrying out such a drastic measure would be improper.

Huang said he was being cautious not to influence the justice ministry's evaluation process with his comments.

Rather, he called on the ministry to reach its decision based on fairness, objectivity and scientific evidence.