A task force has been put together to investigate the allegations of sexual harassment within the agency, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) said yesterday, adding that it cannot comment on an ongoing investigation amid criticism of ignoring allegations of widespread harassment.
EPA Minister Chang Tzi-chin (張子敬) allegedly protected officer Lee Chien-yu (李健育), who is accused of harassing multiple women over the years, New Power Party (NPP) Legislator Chen Jiau-hua (陳椒華) told a news conference yesterday.
Chen alleged that Chang had already violated the Civil Servant Service Act (公務員服務法) and his alleged lack of action — only remanding Lee verbally — is a reason for Chang to be tried in court for being Lee’s accomplice.
Photo: CNA
She also said Chang should step down from his role at the EPA.
Sources in the EPA told her that many alleged victims feared that the agency would suppress their complaints, as many members of the agency’s gender equality committee are of the same rank as Lee, Chen said.
None of the employees at the agency have dared to demand Lee’s removal from the agency’s official Line group, she said, adding that the Executive Yuan should rescind a gender equality award it gave the agency last year.
The EPA said it has already convened a task force, including an experienced lawyer and a external psychologist, to investigate the allegations.
The defendants of most of the complaints cannot be located, and most of the locations where the alleged sexual harassment incidents have occurred are not EPA premises, the agency said.
It is quiet regarding the investigation to protect the privacy of those involved and prevent causing additional trauma, the EPA said.
It had on Wednesday asked all units under its jurisdiction, local governments and Chen’s office to provide any information they have regarding the case, the agency added.
The EPA said that the gender equality award it received last year was the culmination of joint efforts by the employees of multiple agencies, adding that such a commendation should not be invalidated over the alleged acts of a few individuals.
Chen said that the EPA’s silence about the investigation is a ploy to protect the accused by making the process opaque and preventing alleged aggressors from receiving their due punishment.
The agency should commission third-party individuals to form an investigation task force, Chen said.
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