A Go tutor in Taiwan has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for sexually abusing 12 young children, with victims as young as six years old, the New Taipei District Court announced on Wednesday. The convicted offender, surnamed Lee (李), was found guilty of multiple counts of child molestation, sexual harassment, and child exploitation, making this one of Taiwan’s most disturbing child abuse cases in recent years.
The court’s ruling stated that Lee molested boys and girls a total of 64 times while running an unlicensed Go tutoring center from his own residence. He also filmed the abuse, violating Taiwan’s strict Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.
How the Abuse Came to Light
The case first emerged on September 1, 2024, when concerned parents of one of the victims filed a complaint against Lee. Their child had revealed inappropriate behavior during the Go lessons. Investigators discovered that Lee had secretly installed cameras in his so-called “classroom,” which doubled as his home, to film his victims.
Authorities raided the residence the following day, seizing video evidence that confirmed the abuse and helped identify 12 children who had been subjected to molestation.
Lee was immediately arrested and detained. In January 2025, the New Taipei District Court extended his detention for two additional months, ensuring he remained in custody while legal proceedings moved forward.
Details of the Crimes and Court Verdict
The New Taipei District Court found that Lee had:
- Molested children under the age of 14, violating Taiwan’s Criminal Code.
- Violated the Sexual Harassment Prevention Act.
- Secretly filmed the abuse, breaching the Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.
As a result, the court sentenced Lee to 22 years in prison and ordered him to pay financial compensation to the victims.
The judge emphasized that Lee had taken advantage of the trust placed in him by parents and students, making his crimes particularly heinous. The court ruled that he showed no remorse and had intentionally exploited children in a setting meant for learning.
Closure of the Illegal Tutoring Center
In addition to the criminal charges, the New Taipei City Education Department responded swiftly, imposing a fine of NT$250,000 (US$7,560) on Lee in September 2024 for operating an illegal tutoring center without government approval.
Authorities permanently shut down his facility, preventing him from teaching again. Additionally, Lee has been blacklisted from ever working in any educational institution or tutoring center in Taiwan.
Public and Legal Reactions
This case has sparked outrage across Taiwan, with many calling for stricter regulations on private tutoring and harsher punishments for child predators. Advocacy groups have urged the government to tighten background checks for individuals working with children.
Legal experts noted that Lee’s sentencing reflects Taiwan’s tough stance on child exploitation, but some argue that even longer prison terms should be considered for such crimes.
Many parents have since become more cautious about private tutoring services, emphasizing the need for government oversight and licensing to protect children from similar dangers in the future.
FAQs
What was the tutor convicted of?
Lee was convicted of molesting 12 children and recording videos of the abuse, violating Taiwan’s Criminal Code, Sexual Harassment Prevention Act, and Child and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act.
How did authorities discover the crimes?
A parent of one of the victims reported the abuse on September 1, 2024, leading to an investigation, seizure of video evidence, and Lee’s arrest.
How was the abuse discovered?
The abuse was uncovered after a parent reported suspicious behavior in their child. Authorities then searched Lee’s tutoring center and found video evidence of the abuse.
What penalty did he receive apart from prison?
A NT$250,000 fine for running an unlicensed tutoring center
