Fr John Lee Hua SJ, who has dedicated himself to the work of protecting children and young adults, continues to refine his expertise in the field of child protection. He recently obtained qualification in the “Scholar and Experts Pool for Investigating Violations of Laws by Individuals Involved in the Protection of Children and Young People,” making him the first Catholic priest in Taiwan to attain this certification.
In July 2023, Fr Lee participated in a three-day training session organised by the Ministry of Education’s K-12 Education Administration. The training aimed to ensure that investigation procedures for suspected cases of child abuse within educational and protection service organisations are fair and professional. Approximately 200 professionals from the fields of early childhood education, child protection, and children’s rights participated in this training.
The Ministry of Education invited scholars and experts with professional backgrounds in law and investigation of unsuitable teachers, as well as preschool principals and teachers with practical experience, to give lectures on various topics, such as the amended Early Childhood Education and Care Act, the Statute for Preschool Educators, basic concepts and practices in investigation procedures, handling procedures for violations of laws and regulations, and report writing. The training provided a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
After completing the three-day training and assessment, Fr Lee obtained qualification from the Ministry of Education’s K-12 Education Administration to be included in the “Pool of Scholars and Experts for Investigating Illegal Incidents Involving Education and Protection Personnel”. As an accredited expert, he can now be invited by the civil authorities to conduct investigations into physical and psychological abuse, corporal punishment, bullying, sexual harassment, inappropriate discipline, and other illegal incidents involving young children. This ensures the fairness of investigation procedures and lightens the burden on local authorities, while fostering a more supportive environment for education and protection services.
To assist qualified investigators in upholding professionalism, Fr Lee continued his education by participating in a two-day Advanced Education Training for Professionals Investigating Correctional Services Violations” organised by the National Education Department in January. This further deepens his understanding of relevant laws and operational practices in the field.
Although a few Catholics have undergone the same training programme, Fr Lee is the first priest in Taiwan to achieve this qualification. He hopes to have the opportunity to serve the church’s education and protection organisations, primarily through regular advocacy efforts, placing greater emphasis on prevention rather than investigation following an incident. [Office for the Protection of Minors and Professional Standards of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus]