TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan raised the penalties for stalking crimes from NT$3,000 (US$100) to NT$30,000 on Tuesday. 

The Legislative Yuan amended the Social Order Maintenance Act, which imposes fines and other penalties for minor offenses, per CNA. The new amendments raised penalties for offenses including ticket scalping, noise disturbances, and stalking.

The Cabinet approved a stalking harassment prevention bill by the Ministry of the Interior in 2021. Criminalizing stalking, the act strengthens protection for victims.

The bill identified behaviors that constitute stalking, empowering law enforcement to act. It also gave victims, prosecutors, and police the right to seek court-ordered restraining orders. 

The then-Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) noted that stalking is a serious form of sexual violence. The United Nations notes that the three biggest threats to women’s safety are sexual assault, domestic violence, and stalking.

Women were the victims in 80% of all stalking cases, while men were the perpetrators, according to studies. Stalking cases are characterized by a high incidence rate and a high rate of danger, causing serious fear and harm to the victim.