Taiwan’s “One-Stop Service” for Victims of Sexual Assault: Experience with a Hospital-Based Model for Integrated Client-Centered Care

Cho, Chun-YingAssociate ProfessorDepartment of Social WorkChang Jung Christian University

Background

Promotion of gender equality and the elimination of discrimination against women: Millennium Summit of the UN 2000.

Taiwan’s Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act

History of Taiwan’s Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act

Prior to 1994, sexual assault was regarded by the Taiwanese legal system as a general crime

The 1996 murder-rape of Peng Wan-ru, director of Women’s Affairs for the Democratic Progressive Party

In January 1997, Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act Provisions for services for victims and relocation of

offenders

Sexual Assault: A Grossly Underreported Crime

“Client-Centered” Service: Making It Easier for Victims to Report Sexual Assault

From 2008 to 2012, the number of reported cases of sexual assault increased from 8,521 to 15,102/year (annual growth rates > 10%)

Official number of sexual assaults is much lower than the actual number

The main cause of underreporting: victims fear a long process of repeated interrogations

“Client-centered” service model is essential

Taiwan’s “One-Stop Service” for Victims of Sexual Assault: A Hospital-Based Model for Integrated, Client-Centered Care

“One-stop service" for victims of sexual assault brings together police, medical professionals, and social workers in a hospital setting.

Efficiently brings together professional expertise from the fields of medicine, law enforcement, and social work.

1. “Sexual Assault Prevention Centers” lead to the development of a hospital- based model

In 1997, Taiwan passed the "Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act"

In 1998, the author persuaded Chang Gung Memorial Hospital to provide space for a "Sexual Assault Prevention Center"

Although Kaohsiung County was the last to set up a "Sexual Assault Prevention Center," its Center was recognized as a model for other local governments.

2. Sexual Assault Response Stations at Designated Hospitals (not permanently staffed)

Limited manpower and transportation difficulties for victims in locations: “single-station, multistage service”

To give victims a greater sense of security First in Taipei and Kaohsiung in 2010; Kaohsiung

County later

One-stop Service Team

Operating ProceduresTaipei Sexual Assault Prevention Center

Police Hospital-Based Response Station

Sexual Assault Prevention Center

Client-Friendly Room

1. Physician conducts medical examination and collects evidence2.Hospital staff hand evidence over to police

The victim’s statement is transcribed in the client-friendly room

Ordinary

transcript Slow-speed transcript

Prosecutor goes to the hospital to visit the victim

Prosecutor verifies the transcript by fax

Prosecutor makes an appointment to interview the victim

Client-Friendly Examination Room: Décor and Equipment

Client-Friendly Examination Room: Décor and Equipment

Client-Friendly Examination Room: Décor and Equipment

Client-Friendly Examination Room: Décor and Equipment

Client-Friendly Examination Room: Décor and Equipment

“One-Stop Service” for Victims of Sexual Assault: Evaluation

The hospital-based “Sexual Assault Prevention Center” established for Kaohsiung County in 1998 Drew wide praise raised the percentage of sexual assault victims to

bring suit After a switch in 2010 to a “Single-Station,

Multistage” model, more hospitals were recruited as response centers and the service network was significantly expanded

In Taipei and Kaohsiung, 90% satisfied

Conclusions Services for victims of sexual assault must be

given greater attention. Services should be comprehensive in nature,

delivered through a single portal, have a client-centered design, and be linked to a network that allows for an integrated team response.

The service environment should ensure the dignity of victims and provide them with a sense of security.

Recommendations for Future Improvements Increase the percentage of sexual assault victims making

use of services Improve police techniques for the collection of evidence Teach medical units

How to maintain the quality of medical examinations

Concepts of victim protection Work to clarify the division of labor between hospital

social workers and the staff of the SAPCs Push for judicial reforms

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