Taipei city government under fire over 10-year-old girl left unplaced for 240 days
A 10-year-old Taipei girl who was sexually abused for a long period is still living at home 240 days after the case was reported, and the city's handling of it has turned into a political fight.
- The girl was abused by men her mother sold her to, and the mother took money instead of stopping it.
- The case was reported to police late last year, but the city has still not moved her to safe housing.
- City officials skipped an opposition councillor's press conference and held their own an hour later, drawing accusations they are dodging questions.
- The city says the girl refused institutional care and that the case did not meet central government thresholds; critics say her words were twisted and the city is passing the blame upward.
- Officials pointed to eight months with no further abuse as proof their safety measures work — a claim opponents call cold and harmful to the child.
Outlook: With city council elections approaching, pressure will keep building on Mayor Chiang's administration to explain its risk assessments and finally place the girl.