DPP Taipei City councilors yesterday accused Stephen Shen (沈世宏), director of the city's Bureau of Environmental Protection, of harboring gender prejudice when handling a sexual harassment case.
"Shen's passive attitude in handling this matter caused more anguish to the female victim so he should resign to take responsibility for it," DPP Councilor Lee Chien-chang said (
According to Lee, a woman, nicknamed Hsiao Chien, was sexually harassed by a drunken male colleague at the Mucha waste incinerator in September of last year. The man allegedly embraced her from behind and tried to undress her. At the press conference, the city councilors displayed letters from the woman.
"After being under the shadow [of sexual harassment] for almost a year, Hsiao Chien decided to come forward in July and complained to Lin Hsueh-u(
According to Tsai, when Hsiao Chien complained to Lin about the incident, she responded by saying, "It takes two to tango."
Tsai also said that when the woman asked Shen in August to transfer her harasser to another post, Shen responded by saying "Do you think it is that easy to transfer a staff member?"
The Mucha incinerator is under the supervision of the Bureau of Environmental Protection.
"The responses made by Shen and Lin reflect their gender prejudice," Tsai said.
The city councilors said that Shen's handling of the case also demonstrated that Mayor Ma Ying-jeou's (馬英九) administration lacked respect for women. "Either Shen resigns or the Ma administration has to go," they said.
Lin was at the press conference and denied the councilors' accusations. She said she is willing to meet face-to-face with Hsiao Chien.
When asked later by reporters to comment on the allegations, Shen -- who was not at the press conference -- dismissed the accusations and stressed that sexual harassment cases have to be investigated cautiously.
"The female party has filed a complaint with the city's Commission of Administrative Appeals on Sexual Harassment," Shen said. "All will be carried out according to the law."
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