It has been three years since the comprehensive amendment to the "Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Crime Victims" came into effect. Secretary-General of the Presidential Office Pan Meng-an Jin pointed out that in the past three years, prosecutors' offices across the country have issued a total of 2.7 billion yuan in compensation for crime victims. The number of services provided by the Crime Victims Protection Association has also increased from about 100,000 people per year in the past to 270,000 last year. Victim protection has been elevated to a "national responsibility." In the face of major traumas and changes, the country cannot be absent.
The Ministry of Justice held a commendation ceremony for the 115th "Newborn Guardian Award" today, commending a total of 11 individuals and 4 groups, covering the fields of justice, police, health care, education, enterprises and charitable groups. The award-winning representatives first went to the Presidential Palace in the morning to be received by Pan Meng'an, and in the afternoon, the awards were presented by Feng Cheng, the executive deputy minister of the Ministry of Justice.
Pan Meng'an said that the protection of victims' rights and interests is not only related to personal safety, but also an important indicator of national human rights standards and social civilization. Although criminal justice can clarify responsibilities through laws and procedures, it cannot heal the pain of loss and trauma by relying on judgments or legal regulations alone. Therefore, flexible justice plays an irreplaceable role.
Pan Meng'an pointed out that in the three years since the comprehensive revision of the Criminal Protection Law was implemented, in addition to the 2.7 billion yuan in compensation awarded by district prosecutors' offices across the country, the number of services provided by the Criminal Protection Association has also increased significantly from about 100,000 people per year to 270,000 in 2014, reflecting the expansion of service coverage and a concrete result of the government's elevation of victim protection to national responsibility.
Feng Chengze said that the Ministry of Justice has always listed the protection of the rights and interests of crime victims as an important task of flexible justice and humanistic justice. This year, the recognition event was named the "Newborn Guardian Award" in the hope of highlighting the importance of long-term companionship and protection.
The winners this time include Hualien District Prosecutor’s Office prosecutor Wang Kailing, who is committed to reducing victims’ secondary harm in the judicial process; Taoyuan District Prosecutor’s Office prosecutor’s office Zhang Huiru, who helped establish a new crime victim compensation system and review operation guidelines; and the Changhua District Prosecutor’s Office’s restorative justice enforcement team, which uses restorative justice to help victims and parties understand and repair trauma.
In addition, Taoyuan City Home Defense Center social worker Pan Yuxuan, National Taiwan University Hospital Pediatric Protection Medical Center, as well as police officers in Taichung and New Taipei, education and civil society organizations also received awards for their investment in child protection, assistance to sexual assault victims, and notification and referral of victims' rights.
