Protecting our children
People’s survival is dependent on and guided by trust. Children must be raised in a trustworthy environment if they are to grow up healthy, and strong physically and mentally. If people want to live with peace of mind, they must build a society that is trustworthy and reliable.
The victims of the New Taipei City preschool drugging controversy are unable to speak up for themselves. These preschool children require our genuine care and protection, and their parents can provide them with the most direct and immediate sense of safety and trust.
However, according to media reports after the incident was exposed, it was extremely difficult for parents to count on the officials and agencies dealing with the drugging incident. They turned to the politicians who seemed trustworthy, hoping that the government would provide a safety net through reliable mechanisms.
Unfortunately, the officials let them down. Not knowing whom they should trust, parents have become highly insecure, and this would surely affect the children. This is heartbreaking to witness.
Right after the preschool children tested positive for traces of phenobarbital, the New Taipei City Government determined that the phenobarbital, which was used as tranquilizers, was harmful to children, and that the preschools would be investigated thoroughly. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) seemed to be resolved to take the incident seriously and uncover the source of the drug.
However, after experts said that the first test results might have been inaccurate, Hou suddenly altered his stance, telling the public that “a trace amount” of phenobarbital should not be of concern.
Hou’s change of heart was dramatic. He contradicted what he had said only a few days previously. How could parents trust him? The public would not be convinced, either.
The challenge to the initial test results was a shocking blow that undermined all the discussion on the drugging controversy, as if the entire incident was only a staged play. A huge amount of social resources have already gone down the drain, and people have been feeling exhausted. The social environment no longer seems to be trustworthy and reliable.
Worse, after the incident was disclosed, politicians usurped the public opinion space that should have been for the involved parties and experts.
One reason is that next year’s presidential election is approaching, and one of the three presidential candidates is the key player in the incident, while the other two are qualified to comment on the scandal due to their medical background. Precisely because of this, it has become even harder to clarify what has happened.
The three candidates have started competing against one another, leading to more confrontation, while obscuring the truth. If the issue of our children’s rights should be treated as the key to this incident, the officials, politicians, experts and academics — namely, those who can speak up and use administrative resources — must fix the broken trust on which the development of the children’s physical and mental health is based.
The discussion should be focused on teasing out the truth. Politics should be excluded from investigating the incident, so that a secure environment can be ensured in which children can grow up safely and soundly.
Hsieh Hsin-chien
Chiayi City
Abuse knows no age
A Tainan city councilor has said that “a top management official” at the city’s Bureau of Sports has been accused of groping a female employee’s buttocks, which would constitute sexual harassment.
Bureau Director-General Chen Liang-chien (陳良乾) seemed aggrieved and claimed to have been falsely accused, saying: “But I’m old. It wasn’t me.”
Hearing Chen’s response, it is hard to know whether to laugh or cry.
First, old age cannot be used as a shield for accusations of sexual harassment.
Second, Article 25 of the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act (性騷擾防治法) clearly states: “When a person kisses, hugs or touches the bottom, breast, or other physical private parts of the other person when the latter one cannot quickly respond or resist, this person shall be imprisoned for a definite term of less than two years, do forced labor service under detention, or separately or jointly be fined not more than NT$100,000.”
So, what does old age have to do with it? As long as someone can still move their hands, it can happen. Indeed, have there not recently been many accusations of sexual harassment by senior men?
Far Eastern Group chairman Douglas Hsu (徐旭東) rightly said that in the US you are not allowed under any circumstances to touch anyone in the workplace. The rule is “don’t touch,” plain and simple.
Taiwan should adopt the same workplace culture, or make it stricter by also applying the same principle after work hours.
Tsai Mei-chu
Taipei
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