To create a more friendly environment for new immigrants, Tainan City Government calls on new immigrants who suffer from family issues or domestic violence to report it to the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center of Tainan City Government or call 113 as soon as possible.
Due to language barriers and lack of access to information, new immigrants are often reluctant to report domestic violence and bear it because they worry about losing the guardianship of their children, the Social Affairs Bureau of Tainan City Government stated.
Xiao Ling (小玲) from Vietnam, once sought assistance from the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center of Tainan City Government. She looked forward to coming to Taiwan for her husband at the beginning; however, her husband didn't allow her to learn Chinese and often beat her when he was drunk. Her husband also restricted her from meeting friends. In a conflict, her husband even threatened her with a knife. Xiao Ling was very afraid to go home, and there were no other relatives or friends who could help her in Taiwan. Suffering from depression, she had no choice but went to the police station alone for seeking help. After receiving Xiao Ling's report, the police station informed the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center immediately and arranged a shelter for her. The police station helped Xiao Ling file a petition for a protection order and apply for a rent subsidy from the center.
Tainan has zero-tolerance for any type of violence, Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-Che emphasized. Mayor Huang called on new immigrants who suffer from violence to speak up for themselves and seek assistance. The Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center will continue to arrange professionals for new immigrants.
Source: Tainan City Government
