Taiwan's Sports World Confronts #MeToo: Coach Banned for Life After Sexual Harassment Allegations

A coach in Taiwan, initially suspended for sexual harassment, is now permanently banned from coaching and teaching following investigations into abuse of female athletes.

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A significant case of alleged sexual harassment has resulted in a lifetime ban for a sports coach in Taiwan. The accusations, brought forward by female athletes, led to a thorough investigation and severe consequences for the coach, whose actions have shaken the local sports community.

The case involved a coach, referred to as 劉 (Liu), who held certifications in roller skating hockey and ice hockey. Allegations of misconduct against female players, including inappropriate touching and harassment, surfaced. Despite initial suspensions from sports associations, 劉 (Liu) was found to have continued activities, including attempting to influence the selection of the 2025 national team.

Following the investigations led by 高雄市議員 鄭孟洳 (Zheng Mengru), the coach's coaching licenses have been revoked permanently. Furthermore, 劉 (Liu) is now prohibited from holding any teaching positions in schools and is barred from accessing sports venues to conduct any form of coaching or training activities.

The 高雄市運發局 (Kaohsiung City Sports Development Bureau) confirmed that the 體育署 (Sports Administration) had issued a notice to all city and county sports departments, instructing them to revoke 劉 (Liu)'s coaching license, prohibiting him from any teaching roles.

The accusations involved incidents where the coach allegedly used teaching sessions or jokes as a pretext to touch female athletes inappropriately, including touching waists and chests, and even squeezing their breasts. These incidents occurred when the victims were in junior and high school, and the coach allegedly threatened them with expulsion if they reported the incidents.

A victim, referred to as A, recounted the incidents to 市議員 鄭孟洳 (Zheng Mengru) last year through recordings. At the time of the incidents, the victim was only 12 or 13 years old. The coach would isolate her in private, touch her, make comments about her weight, and then touch her side.

The 體育署 (Sports Administration), upon receiving the complaints, directed the 中華民國滑輪溜冰協會 (Chinese Taipei Roller Skating Federation) and 中華民國冰球協會 (Chinese Taipei Ice Hockey Association) to suspend 劉 (Liu)'s ice hockey coaching duties and ban him from accessing venues and participating in related activities temporarily.

Despite these measures, 市議員 鄭孟洳 (Zheng Mengru) reported that 劉 (Liu) was suspected of attempting to influence the selection of the 2025 Asian Roller Skating Championships national team, through "borrowed" licenses, thus determining the coaches and athletes for the national team. It was also alleged that the national team and athletes for the 2025 World Games in roller skating hockey were being pre-selected by 劉 (Liu) even after suspension, raising ethical concerns.

However, the sexual harassment case was investigated by both the roller skating and ice hockey associations. According to Article 6 of the "Regulations for the Hiring of Part-time, Substitute, and Acting Teachers," the coach is now barred for life from holding any teaching positions. This includes not only the revocation of coaching licenses but also a ban on entering teaching venues. The 體育署 (Sports Administration) has also notified local governments, sports authorities, and various sports associations about this unsuitable educator.