Child exploitation cases rose sharply in Taiwan last year, and advocacy groups called for urgent action. Consequently, officials reported a 2.2-fold increase in incidents since 2017, highlighting serious risks for minors nationwide. The child exploitation cases underscore the growing online and social threats children face today.
The Taiwan Association for Sexuality Education, the Chinese Association for the Development of Affective Education, and the Action Alliance on Basic Education held a news conference in Taipei. At the event, leaders shared the ten most impactful sexual and reproductive health stories, as voted by their members, directors, and supervisors. Notably, the rise in child exploitation topped the list.
Advocates urged the government to strengthen sexual education programs because these programs must include interpersonal relationships and emotional awareness. Moreover, they emphasized that minors need tools to resist peer pressure and navigate risky situations safely. By enforcing stronger policies and safeguards, authorities hope to reduce child exploitation risks.
Statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare showed complaints involving sexual images of minors increased eightfold compared with 2023. Cases involving the filming or production of sexual material with children rose from 581 in 2017 to 3,104 in 2024. Experts said this rise reflects a shift of child exploitation into digital platforms.
Yang Tsung-tsai, a board supervisor with the Taiwan Association for Sexuality Education, explained that perpetrators often exploit trust or emotional bonds to groom victims. He added that private messaging and online chats make manipulation easier. Therefore, experts said vigilance and education are critical to prevention.
Other major stories included the sentencing of a Taichung elementary school coach to over 464 years for abusing 32 young athletes. Furthermore, over 300,000 medical abortions occurred annually, exceeding the national birthrate of 200,000. In addition, sexually transmitted infection rates rose most sharply among people aged 13 to 24.
The advocacy groups noted that only one story among the top ten offered positive news. In December, the Executive Yuan advanced amendments to the Assisted Reproduction Act, allowing single women and same-sex female couples to access legal reproductive services. Nevertheless, women’s groups warned that these changes could increase single-parent households.
Looking ahead, experts recommended continuous monitoring of child exploitation trends and stricter online safety enforcement. Additionally, advocacy groups stressed that emotional and relational education remains critical to reducing risks.
Ultimately, the rise in child exploitation shows policymakers and educators must act swiftly. Comprehensive education, strong safeguards, and social support networks are essential to protecting vulnerable populations.
