Crime Victim Protection Policy in Taiwan (From Victims and Criminal Justice: Asian Perspective, P 261-278, 2003, Tatsuya Ota, ed. -- See NCJ-202214)

• NCJ Number: 202225
• Author(s): Kan-Mei Chang
• Date Published: 2003
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Hogaku-Kenkyu-Kai, Keio University
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Description
• Language: English
• Country: Japan

Annotation

Following a brief review of the development of victimology in Taiwan, this chapter discusses crime victims' involvement in criminal proceedings, victim compensation, crime victim protection, victims of traffic accidents, victims of sex offenses, and victims of domestic violence.

Abstract

The first article on victimology in Taiwan appeared in 1965, and in 1998 the Ministry of Justice opened the Office for Victims of Crime to develop and implement the Ministry's policy for victim support. The government then launched the Action Plan for Reinforcement of Crime Victim Support, which is an agenda that details the fundamental policy plan for victim support in the field of law enforcement, education, health, welfare, and the mass media. This Action Plan was amended in 2000, and each government agency is conducting a variety of support services for crime victims based on the Action Plan. Victims' participation in criminal proceedings includes being able to request higher public prosecutors' offices to review a decision at a lower level not to prosecute, having the option to present a victim impact statement to a court, and the opportunity to testify in court under protection from intimidation or retaliation. The Crime Victim Compensation Bill, which provides state compensation for crime victims, was passed May 27, 1995. This chapter explains eligibility and type of compensation under the program. Also described are payment of compensation, claim for compensation, and practice of victim compensation. The Crime Victim Protection Association was founded in 1999 as a private foundation that operates under the direction and supervision of the Ministry of Justice. This association is devoted specifically and exclusively to meeting crime victims' needs. Efforts to assist victims of traffic accidents include compulsory vehicle insurance. The Sexual Offense Prevention Committee has been established to develop policy for assistance to victims of sexual offenses, countermeasures against sexual offenses, as well as the supervising and arranging of implementation of policy. The Domestic Violence Prevention Committee was established in the Ministry of Justice and at the local level to develop and coordinate a policy against domestic violence at the central and local levels, respectively. 15 notes