【College of Social Sciences News】

Following a series of high-profile digital sexual violence cases both in Taiwan and abroad, the College of Social Sciences held a lecture on December 7 titled “After Deepfake Scandals: How Should We Respond to Digital Sexual Violence? On the Non-Consensual Distribution of Intimate Images and Digital Sexual Abuse.” The event aimed to raise awareness among faculty and students regarding the legal, structural, and cultural issues tied to digital violence. Guest speaker and NCCU alumna Tzu-Wei Cheng, Prosecutor at the Qiaotou District Prosecutors Office in Taiwan, delivered the keynote. College counselors Yu-Ting Chen and Ching-Yin Lee joined as discussants. Hosted by Dean Wan-Ying Yang and Head Instructor Yen-Ching Weng, the session included open dialogue with students. The event attracted over 70 participants, including Dean of Student Affairs Chiu-Wen Kuo, members from the Gender Equality Committee, Accessibility Services, faculty members like Professor Bo-Liang Chen from the International College of Innovation, and students from various colleges—highlighting the strong concern on campus about this issue.

After a brief welcome from the College, Prosecutor Cheng began with a sharp critique from a U.S. talk show, inviting students to reflect on the prevalent “victim-blaming” mindset embedded in public discourse and social norms. She cited the high-profile deepfake scandal involving internet celebrity “Siu-Yu” as an example, emphasizing that Taiwan is tackling 21st-century digital crimes with outdated legal tools. Issues such as communication surveillance, content takedown procedures, and limitations in penalizing perpetrators or protecting victims all highlight the urgent need for legal reform. In cases involving the sharing of intimate images obtained from consensual relationships, the lack of clear legal boundaries often prevents prosecution.

Currently, Taiwan’s Penal Code still frames such issues under “offenses against public decency,” which fails to address the victim’s perspective. For instance, in the “Campus Heartthrob” scandal and Korea’s infamous “Nth Room” case, footage recorded with partial consent was circulated online. In Taiwan, such acts are typically prosecuted under laws concerning the distribution of obscene material—a charge with relatively light penalties. First-time offenders often receive fines instead of imprisonment, which many victims find unacceptable. Additionally, unless the case falls under the Sexual Assault Prevention Act or the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, there are no provisions to protect the victim’s identity. If tried under “public indecency,” the victim’s identity may be exposed and the trial could be public. Civil society data shows that over 96% of digital sexual violence victims are women, reflecting deep-rooted gender power imbalances in Taiwanese society. Legal reforms are currently under discussion at the Ministry of Justice, and prosecutors are exploring ways to better protect victims using personal data protection laws for sensitive information.

Before the discussion session, Prosecutor Cheng recommended the website “私me” for adult victims of non-consensual intimate image distribution (minors may use IWIN). These platforms, commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, help victims request image takedowns and prevent the further spread of digital sexual abuse. The Taiwan Women’s Rescue Foundation also provides support services for victims of non-consensual image sharing.

Counselors Chen and Lee highlighted that most victims in such cases suffer from severe emotional distress, with many showing suicidal tendencies. They encouraged students to offer support to peers and emphasized that timely companionship from friends or family could prevent someone from becoming a perpetrator of digital violence. In closing, Professor Bo-Liang Chen, an expert in digital law, shared his research, stressing that digital violence not only invades personal privacy but can also impact democratic institutions and national security. Taiwan urgently needs to revise its legal framework. As a pressing issue of the 21st century, digital sexual violence calls for cross-disciplinary reflection—should society prioritize digital freedom, or the safety, autonomy, and privacy of individuals? The College of Social Sciences will continue to encourage faculty and students to examine the profound impact of technology on social relationships and daily life.

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Original Chinese Article: NCCU Campus News