Breaking the Silence on Taiwan's Domestic Abuse

For many survivors of domestic abuse, finding safety is very difficult because of social pressure and stigma. In Taiwan, an important study by National Taiwan University (國立臺灣大學) showed that survivors live with partner violence for an average of 4.2 years before they make an official report. Only about ten percent of survivors report the abuse right away when it first happens. This long silence is not because they want to stay. Instead, it is a complex struggle caused by fear, control, and the idea that family problems should be kept private.

The cycle of abuse helps explain why leaving is so hard. Relationships often move between three stages. First, tension builds up. Second, a violent event happens. Third, there is a peaceful 'honeymoon' stage where the perpetrator promises to change. This cycle makes survivors experience cognitive dissonance. They feel confused because they still hope the relationship can get better, and they often blame themselves for the problems.

When survivors finally ask for legal help, they find different systems in different places. A survivor named J, who used the legal systems in both Taiwan and Washington State in the US, shared her story. In the US, the process is very clear. The court holds online meetings and provides forms with detailed options that focus on how the abuser controlled the victim. In contrast, Taiwan's system gives great help from social workers right from the start. However, the court process can feel hidden and hard to understand. The courts in Taiwan often focus only on physical injuries and sometimes miss the mental hurt that survivors feel.