"As the Internet becomes a popular tool for meeting new friends or lovers,
Internet chat rooms have turned into a hotbed for sex crime," said Chang
Su-ling, captain of the Women's Police Station of Taipei, at a joint press
conference with the foundation.
"The growing rate of Internet crimes against children and young women is the
latest issue we need to address," Chang said.
Statistics released by the police station showed that more than 50 percent of a
total of 828 Internet crime cases reported between January and June in Taipei
City involve violations of the Child and Youth Sexual Transaction Prevention
Act.
Sexual abuse cases which involved the Internet made up for more than 10 percent
of the 450 sexual abuse cases reported to the domestic-violence prevention
center in Taipei last year.
Chang said that Internet abusers usually lure victims to remote places or their
own houses shortly after meeting them online. Internet abusers often put
sleeping pills or drugs in victims' and then sexually abuse them after they
pass out.
"Victims of Internet sex crime often fall into the trap because of the
unrealistic fantasy of finding love on the Internet. While there are wonderful
relationships that can start online, we want to remind people to be very
cautious when you want to meet up with friends you met on the Internet," she
said.
Chang advised meeting an online love interest in a public place and asking
friends or family members to come along for the rendezvous or at least keep
tabs on the date. To avoid being drugged, Chang said it was important not to
imbibe a drink if you haven't been able to keep a close eye on it, or have to
leave and come back to the table during a date.
Jennifer Wang, a director at the foundation, said that while Internet dating is
not a crime, any sexual abuse or harassment involving the Internet --
especially sex crimes against girls under 16 years old -- are a serious
violation of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Act and the Child and Youth Sexual
Transaction Prevention Act.
The foundation called on the parents to monitor their children's Internet
activity, and if they suspect them of running away for an Internet rendezvous
or failing to return from such a meeting, to report to the police station
immediately with all telephone and log-in records.
Illegal Web sites or incidents of Internet-related sex crimes should be
reported to the police at 02-2769-7403 or through the police Web site
cib.gov.tw.
