A freshman at Taiwan’s Army Academy, known as Ah Ming (pseudonym), was reportedly sexually harassed by his senior, Xiao Zhi (pseudonym), after cold-weather training. Ah Ming stayed overnight at Xiao Zhi’s rented apartment, only to have Xiao Zhi forcibly touch his chest, attempt to kiss him, and try to grope his genitals. Ah Ming subsequently filed a police report, and the Kaohsiung District Court sentenced Xiao Zhi to eight months in prison for sexual assault.
According to court documents, on January 15, 2023, between 2:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., Ah Ming stayed at Xiao Zhi’s apartment in Kaohsiung. While Ah Ming slept on the floor and Xiao Zhi on the bed, Xiao Zhi allegedly demanded that Ah Ming “serve” him. When Ah Ming refused, Xiao Zhi reportedly forcibly touched his chest, kissed him, and tried to grope him. Ah Ming later explained that he reported the incident through school channels to prevent other students from experiencing similar abuse.
During the trial, Xiao Zhi denied the allegations, claiming he had no sexual intent and that any contact was accidental “playful horseplay,” insisting he never acted against Ah Ming’s will. However, another witness testified to similar harassment by Xiao Zhi, including touching the chin, face, chest, and other body parts, supporting the claim that Xiao Zhi’s actions were part of a pattern rather than an isolated incident.
The judge noted that, as a senior at the military academy, Xiao Zhi should have acted as a role model, yet he violated his junior’s trust to satisfy his own desires, showing a clear disregard for Ah Ming’s bodily autonomy and sexual consent. Considering Xiao Zhi’s denial and lack of remorse or reparative action, the court sentenced him to eight months in prison for sexual assault.
Xiao Zhi appealed the decision, but the second-instance court upheld the original ruling, stating that the first trial’s facts and sentencing were appropriate. His appeal, which repeated his denial without providing new evidence, was rejected, finalizing the verdict.
