Taipei: For many foreign residents in Taiwan, escaping an abusive home can feel like an impossible choice, as fears of losing residency or custody of their children weigh heavily, while the language barrier can compound the sense of isolation and uncertainty about where to seek help. The legal architecture and social safety net in Taiwan provide these individuals with essential protections.
According to Focus Taiwan, from emergency shelters and multilingual hotlines to immigration rules that safeguard residency, survivors of domestic violence have access to mechanisms designed to help them secure safety, stability, and a path to rebuilding their lives. Here is an explainer on how the system works.
Foreign victims of domestic violence can retain their residency in Taiwan after divorce, regardless of whether they have children. To change their residency status on their Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), they must provide a police report. The protections are guaranteed under Article 31 of the Immigration Act, as described by Lee Ming-fang, a Senior Executive Officer at the National Immigration Agency (NIA).
During divorce proceedings, foreign spouses can apply for an extension of their ARC by providing proof of marriage, such as a household registration transcript or a protection order. If such documents are unavailable, the NIA may verify the individual's status through internal records to allow continued legal residency. After the divorce is finalized, a police report can be used to change residency status from "dependency" to "other reasons." This status is typically valid for one year, can be renewed indefinitely, and may later be adjusted if circumstances change.
In emergencies, individuals are advised to call 110 for police assistance. For non-emergencies, cases can be reported through the Ministry of Health and Welfare's (MOHW) 113 Protection Hotline, which serves as a centralized intake system and refers cases to local authorities for follow-up. The 113 hotline provides 24/7 multilingual services for foreign nationals, according to Kuo Tsai-jung, director-general of the MOHW's Department of Protective Services.
Under Taiwanese law, professionals, including medical personnel, social workers, police officers, educators, and immigration officials, are required to report suspected domestic violence cases encountered in the course of their duties within 24 hours. Once a case is reported to local authorities, a designated social worker serves as the primary point of contact, coordinating support services based on the victim's needs.
Taiwan's Domestic Violence Prevention Act requires local governments to establish prevention centers that provide a range of services, such as emergency assistance, shelter, legal aid, psychological counseling, and vocational training. These services are delivered through coordination among government agencies, in cooperation with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), forming a broad safety net for victims.
Domestic violence survivors seeking medical injury reports should visit hospitals equipped to conduct examinations, as smaller clinics may lack the necessary facilities. Both public and private hospitals can provide these services. Medical reports and receipts should be submitted to local governments to apply for subsidies that are not covered by national health insurance.
If mediation fails to resolve divorce or custody disputes, the case proceeds to court. A first trial typically takes about one year. If the case is appealed, the process may be prolonged. Yen Yi-hua, an attorney with the Legal Aid Foundation, advises survivors to preserve digital evidence such as LINE messages, photos, and recordings stored on their phones, as these are commonly used in legal proceedings.
A protection order is a court order designed to protect victims of domestic violence. There are three main types of protection orders: Emergency Protection Orders, Ordinary Protection Orders, and Temporary Protection Orders. A protection order sets legally binding restrictions on the respondent and serves as a key deterrent to further abuse, as violations carry criminal penalties.
The following websites and hotlines provide support and resources for victims of domestic violence in Taiwan, offering multilingual assistance and support for foreign nationals, including service center locations and the 1990 consultation hotline.