In November 2021, it was reported that Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Kao Chia-yu (高嘉瑜) had been abused by her then-boyfriend Raphael Lin (林秉樞). In October last year, Lin was sentenced to two years and 10 months in prison by the New Taipei City District Court. The sentence included eight months for bodily harm. Lin appealed the sentence, and although the High Court on July 3 dismissed his motion, he can still appeal the criminal charge of committing bodily harm.
Kao said that she did not sense any remorse from Lin, and that she would keep discussing domestic abuse and fighting for female victims who had experienced the same fate as her and are too afraid to speak out.
The indictment is proof that the judicial system works as a form of redress for victims, but more can be done. What matters to many victims is whether the abuser feel remorse. If a perpetrator is able to apologize and truly repent, they show a bright side of humanity. Only this way can they start to empathize with their victims and understand what they are going through. In doing so, the abuser would become less likely to commit a similar crime again, and the victims could heal and be comforted to a certain extent.
I have written about Lin’s antisocial traits. An antisocial person such as Lin has a ruthless personality. They disregard social norms, act impulsively and often assault others. Asking an antisocial person to repent and apologize is doomed to failure. Even if they do say that they are sorry, it is most likely that they are shedding crocodile tears.
When raising a child, everything must be done to prevent them from becoming antisocial. It is therefore extremely important to teach children to empathize with others and to have compassion for their suffering.
Wang Sou-jane is founding president of the Association of Taiwan Clinical Psychology.
Translated by Emma Liu
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