Child abuse incident in Keelung kindergarten triggers protests, two egg washers fined NT$3,000

The father of an abused child, surnamed Chen, and the child’s godfather, attend July Egg Wash Kindergarten. The court determined that the behavior of the two people exceeded the reasonable range allowed by the public, and fined the two people each NT$3,000 for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act. (File photo)

Improper discipline by education staff occurred at a private kindergarten in Qidu District, Keelung City. Many boys were pulled, dragged, kicked, and slapped by education staff. In July, the fathers and friends of the abused children went to the kindergarten to pull banners and throw eggs to protest. After receiving the report and collecting evidence, the police arrested the abused child's father, surnamed Chen, and the child's godfather, surnamed Xie, for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act. The Keelung District Court determined that the behavior of the two people exceeded the reasonable range allowed by the public, and fined them each NT$3,000 for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act.

The ruling pointed out that Chen Nan and Xie Nan had long-standing grievances over suspicions of child abuse in kindergarten. At around 9:20 a.m. on July 4 this year, they went to the gate of the kindergarten in Qidu District, Keelung City, took out eggs prepared in advance and threw them at the gate of the kindergarten. Egg juice flowed across the site, causing serious damage to the kindergarten environment. Afterwards, the kindergarten reported to the police. After receiving the report and collecting evidence for investigation, the Keelung City Police Third Bureau sent Chen and Xie to the Keelung District Court for trial for violating the Social Order Maintenance Law.

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The judge pointed out that although the Constitution guarantees the people's freedom of speech and petition, the exercise of rights must still comply with the principle of proportionality and must not exceed the necessary level. Although Chen and Xie argued that they sought compensation because the children were abused, kindergartens and teachers should seek compensation or relief through legal channels if they have violated the law.

The judge emphasized that eggs are meant for human consumption, and being thrown away is not a normal use behavior by the general public. It is not only ineffective in resolving disputes, but also causes environmental pollution and is difficult to clean up. It is purely an act to vent their inner anger; Chen Nan and Xie Nan’s behavior of washing kindergarten eggs has exceeded the limit. Interfering with the peace and order of the kindergarten beyond the reasonable scope allowed by the general public has constituted "pretextual interference with the company's business" under the Social Order Maintenance Act. However, considering that both people confessed to the crime during the police inquiry, it was ruled that each person should be fined NT$3,000; they can protest.

The father of an abused child, surnamed Chen, and the child’s godfather, attend July Egg Wash Kindergarten. The court determined that the behavior of the two people exceeded the reasonable range allowed by the public, and fined the two people each NT$3,000 for violating the Social Order Maintenance Act. (File photo)