ANWS NGOCSW69: Story of Economic Violence
The forum featured 7 speakers from 6 different organizations and countries and had total of 152 participants including representatives from UN agencies, government officials, and shelter organizations from 37 different countries and regions joining us online. The forum focused on sharing experiences and insights into handling cases of economic violence in shelters across various countries and had a fruitful discussion among the participants.
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2wptdWR0d0More information
ANWS Study-Visit: Taiwan’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program
From August 12 to 15, the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH) invited domestic violence NGO leaders and government officials from Vietnam, Malaysia, India, and Nepal to Taiwan to study its domestic violence prevention framework and foster regional gender equality collaboration.
Key Highlights:
- Legal and Practical Insights: GOH leadership and World Vision Taiwan shared Taiwan’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act’s origins and how it evolved to address emerging issues like same-sex partner violence and digital abuse. They also introduced the 113 Protection Hotline and discussed survivor recovery strategies.
- Service Network Visits: Delegates toured the Taipei Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center and the Shu-Li Foundation, learning about child/adult protection services and intervention programs for perpetrators.
- Law Enforcement and Judicial Role: Visits to the New Taipei City Police Department’s Women and Children’s Protection Division and Taoyuan District Court illustrated how Taiwan integrates law enforcement and legal systems into its domestic violence response.
- Innovative Survivor Support: The GOH Linkou Service Center showcased Taiwan’s first social housing project for domestic violence survivors, combining housing, childcare, and employment support to promote self-sufficiency.
Taiwan’s comprehensive domestic violence system reflects a successful public-private partnership model. GOH continues to share Taiwan’s experience regionally, working to advance gender equality and build a world free from violence.
ANWS Study-Visit: Taiwan’s Sexual Assault Prevention Program
In August and September 2024, the Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH) hosted two international study visits, inviting members of the Asian Network of Women’s Shelters and government representatives from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia to explore Taiwan’s frameworks for preventing domestic and sexual violence.
Key Highlights:
- Service Experience and Legal Advocacy: At GOH’s Taipei Branch, delegates explored Taiwan’s Sexual Assault Crime Prevention Act, GOH’s legal advocacy, and its coordination with hospitals and police in child assault cases. The Dandelion Center presented survivor support services, including counseling and body-oriented therapies, while Professor Lin Mingjie shared offender management strategies like risk assessments and treatment programs.
- Digital Sexual Violence: Taiwan Women’s Rescue Foundation (TWRF) highlighted support for victims of digital sexual abuse, while the Sexual Image Abuse Report Center (SIARC) explained its work in legal aid, public education, and image takedown processes. The discussions stressed that international cooperation is essential to combat global digital sexual crimes.
- Public-Private Collaboration: Civil society and government agencies in Taiwan work together to provide support to survivors. Taipei Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center showcased its survivor-centered approach, and Taipei City Hospital’s Women and Children’s Branch demonstrated Taiwan’s first “one-stop service” model, integrating exams and legal interviews. At the Shilin District Prosecutor’s Office, delegates observed how Taiwan’s judiciary handles sexual assault cases, including digital violence.
- Community-Based Support: Hua Young Service Center in New Taipei City provides emotional education for youth and promotes gender and relationship awareness. To address the needs of marginalized gender-diverse groups, GOH established the Multiple Discrimination and Sexual Violence Prevention Center (MDSVPC), focusing on recovery and advocacy for underrepresented populations.
Taiwan’s leadership in gender equality and comprehensive sexual violence services serves as a model for the region. GOH continues to share its expertise globally and remains committed to building a violence-free, gender-equal society through regional collaboration.
SVRI Talks—Partnering Globally Against Gender-Based Violence, Building an Asia-Pacific network
On the final day of the SVRI Forum (October 25), GOH invited gender-based violence prevention advocates from across Asia to discuss the latest trends and challenges in the field. Key representatives from various United Nations organizations participated the discussion. During the discussion, attendees noted that sustaining such a network alliance requires long-term, stable investment in both resources and manpower. Nevertheless, there was a shared consensus on the necessity of establishing an Asia-based alliance for gender-based violence prevention, to promote mutual learning and amplify the voices of both large and small organizations.
Asian Network of Women's Shelters 