Nurse wins harassment suit against physician

After four years of complaints and lawsuits, a verdict has finally been reached in a sexual harassment case brought by a nurse surnamed Yang (楊) against a physician surnamed Shen (沈).

Both worked at the Chang-Gung Hospital in Linkou. Yang won NT$450,000 and donated the full amount to the Awakening Foundation (婦女新知基金會), which has supported Yang throughout the case. The Foundation emphasized that this verdict is a milestone for sexual harassment cases in the workplace.

According to the foundation, Shen touched Yang on her back and buttocks, forcefully pulled her arms and attempted to hug her. Yang and her husband then made an open response to the hospital's management, which organized an investigation team to look into the doctor's suitability for the post. The results of the investigation have never been made public.

As a result of rumors circulating in the hospital, Yang later requested to be transferred to the Chang-Gung hospital in Kaohsiung.

The hospital hasn't taken any disciplinary action against Shen, has not made the details public, and Shen has not apologized for the incident.

Yang and her husband lodged the complaint with the Awakening Foundation two years ago and filed a lawsuit with the Taoyuan Prosecutors' Office. They demanded NT$1 million in damages and an apology that would be published in the media.

Yang said at a press conference yesterday that she would use the money to help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

Yang added that she was pleased that justice was achieved and encouraged anyone experiencing similar problems to come forward to fight for their rights.