Sports Coach Indicted for Molesting Student in Chiayi

(Central News Agency, Chiayi City, 8th) A man surnamed Lin, who was employed as a sports coach at a primary and secondary school in Chiayi City, has been indicted by the Taiwan Chiayi District Prosecutors Office. He is accused of using opportunities during away training trips to repeatedly hug and touch the chest of the minor victim. Despite the defendant's denial of the charges, the prosecution proceeded based on witness testimonies.

According to the indictment, in August 2024, while leading a team for away training in another county, Lin hugged the minor victim from behind in a room at a homestay. At the same location, he also pulled the victim's bra strap from behind.

The Chiayi District Prosecutors Office stated that in September 2024, Lin hugged the victim from behind in a restroom. He also, while driving the victim, twice lifted the victim from the passenger seat to the driver's seat, touched the victim's chest, and kissed the victim's cheek.

In September of the same year, while taking athletes to a competition in another county, Lin hugged the victim on a stairwell for about one to two minutes, only stopping when someone began walking up the stairs.

The prosecutors office said the case was initiated through a prosecutor's referral and the victim's complaint. Although Lin denied the allegations, evidence including testimonies from multiple witnesses, the victim's psychological counseling records, the school's investigation report, minutes from the Gender Equity Committee, and LINE chat records between Lin and the victim proved all the criminal facts. The case was prosecuted on charges of molestation by abuse of authority.