Crime Victim Protection Policy in Taiwan

Source: (2003) In, Tatsuya Ota, ed., Victims and Criminal Justice: Asian Perspective. Tokoyo, Hogaku-Kenkyu-Kai, Keio University. Pp. 261-278.

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. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.