Premier launches measures to cut cases of child abuse

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on April 4, 2006. It reports that in an attempt to reduce child abuse, the government in Taiwan recently announced its plan to provide subsidies for families in need and to increase the number of social workers who are assigned to child-protection services.

The government pledged to help those families that are identified by the Ministry of the Interior as "high risk". These families are characterized by financial difficulties, unemployed adults, quarreling parents, parents put in prison, adults with mental disorders, or adults with drug or alcohol addictions.

In principle, the Ministry of the Interior will provide a monthly subsidy of NT$3,000 to each child in a high-risk family for six months. This can be extended to a year if necessary. The central government will support 70 percent of the cost of the subsidy, while the balance will be paid by local governments.

The Ministry of the Interior expects that about 15,000 young children or teenagers can obtain assistance through the subsidy program. The ministry also urges the public to show consideration for high-risk families or those in deep poverty.

According to the Child Welfare League Foundation, child abuse generally occurs in those families that are deemed to be "high risk". Statistics show that 50 percent of high-risk families face financial difficulties. The government's subsidy program should be able to provide these families with essential assistance. However, if the children's parents or guardians have behavioral problems, such as drug, alcohol or gambling addictions, then it will not be useful to give them money. Instead, it will be more effective to teach these parents or guardians proper ways to take care of their children.

According to the Child Welfare League Foundation, while the subsidy program is in effect, the government can also help unemployed adults in high-risk families find a job, in order to gain a fixed income. Low-income families in particular should be able to receive long-term assistance from the government and the public.

In addition to helping those families in need, the government also plans to assist city and county governments to increase the number of social workers who are employed in the area of child protection. The number is expected to be boosted from the current 189 to at least 323, in order to attain the ideal ratio of one social worker for every 30 cases. The central government will pay 40 percent of the cost.

Meanwhile, the government will also increase funding for social welfare groups to NT$135 million, in order to enable these non-profit groups to better care for children. Statistics show that in 2005, funding for such groups amounted to NT$44 million and helped 2,840 children. The Ministry of the Interior expects that the increase in funding may provide assistance to at least 10,000 children in 2006.