On November 15, 2024, Chang Fo-Chuan for the Study of Human Rights hosted a screening of the film Force of Habit, followed by a post-screening talk by Professor Miriam Liu. The film, part of the Yksittäistapaus (One-Off Incident) project, was created by Finland and 15 female directors, artists, and researchers from Sweden. It challenges the notion that aggression, harassment, and discrimination towards women are isolated incidents, emphasizing that these behaviors are deeply ingrained in societal structures, cultures, and power dynamics. Through six short films, the project explores women's daily struggles with sexual harassment, discrimination, and violence, prompting reflection on gender inequality and bodily autonomy.
Professor Liu, an expert on sexual harassment research, shared her insights from her tenure on the Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee. Her findings revealed that women face an average of 27 instances of harassment, with committee members handling over 10 cases daily. Harassment, she explained, is often shaped by factors such as race, gender, religion, age, and sexual orientation. It can be either random or premeditated. In Taiwan, random harassment can be documented via CCTV, while premeditated harassment often involves individuals known to the victim, which complicates evidence collection.
Professor Liu pointed out that the underlying causes of harassment include unequal power structures, social stigma, and a culture of violence. She emphasized that perpetrators are often motivated by power, and victims are sometimes blamed or silenced due to societal prejudices. In one film clip, a woman is groped in a restaurant, but her husband minimizes the incident, saying, "It was just touching, not sexual assault." In another short film, a rape victim struggles with trauma, legal challenges, and the ongoing psychological impact of her experience, underscoring how victims are often retraumatized by the legal process.
Professor Liu also discussed why society continues to overlook these issues. She identified three main factors: habituation to harassment, downplaying the severity of incidents, and victim-blaming. To address these problems, she stressed the importance of empathy, supporting victims, and respecting personal boundaries. She concluded by reiterating that “Only YES means YES,” emphasizing the right of everyone to set their boundaries and demand respect.
