Though for many tomorrow's Chinese Valentine's Day is sure to be a romantic occasion, for some careless lonelyhearts it could also be dangerous.
With more people looking for love online, the Taipei City Police Department and the Modern Women's Foundation yesterday called on the public -- especially the younger generations -- to be aware of the growing threat of Internet-related sex crime.
"As the Internet becomes a popular tool for meeting new friends or lovers, Internet chat rooms have turned into a hotbed for sex crime," said Chang Su-ling (張素苓), captain of the Women's Police Station of Taipei, at a joint press conference with the foundation.
"The growing rate of Internet crimes against children and young women is the latest issue we need to address," Chang said.
Statistics released by the police station showed that more than 50 percent of a total of 828 Internet crime cases reported between January and June in Taipei City involve violations of the Child and Youth Sexual Transaction Prevention Act (兒童及青少年性交易防治條例).
Sexual abuse cases which involved the Internet made up for more than 10 percent of the 450 sexual abuse cases reported to the domestic-violence prevention center in Taipei last year.
Chang said that Internet abusers usually lure victims to remote places or their own houses shortly after meeting them online. Internet abusers often put sleeping pills or drugs in victims' and then sexually abuse them after they pass out.
"Victims of Internet sex crime often fall into the trap because of the unrealistic fantasy of finding love on the Internet. While there are wonderful relationships that can start online, we want to remind people to be very cautious when you want to meet up with friends you met on the Internet," she said.
Chang advised meeting an online love interest in a public place and asking friends or family members to come along for the rendezvous or at least keep tabs on the date. To avoid being drugged, Chang said it was important not to imbibe a drink if you haven't been able to keep a close eye on it, or have to leave and come back to the table during a date.
Jennifer Wang (王如玄), a director at the foundation, said that while Internet dating is not a crime, any sexual abuse or harassment involving the Internet -- especially sex crimes against girls under 16 years old -- are a serious violation of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Act (性侵害防治法) and the Child and Youth Sexual Transaction Prevention Act.
The foundation called on the parents to monitor their children's Internet activity, and if they suspect them of running away for an Internet rendezvous or failing to return from such a meeting, to report to the police station immediately with all telephone and log-in records.
Illegal Web sites or incidents of Internet-related sex crimes should be reported to the police at 02-2769-7403 or through the police Web site cib.gov.tw.
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