Nantou County Strengthens Domestic Violence Prevention by Empowering Indigenous Communities

Nantou County has one of the highest proportions of indigenous populations in Taiwan, with approximately 30,000 indigenous residents primarily concentrated in Ren'ai Township and Xinyi Township.

According to statistics from the Nantou County Police Department, a total of 3,228 domestic violence cases were reported countywide in 2025 (114th year of the ROC calendar), with Ren'ai and Xinyi Police Stations collectively handling 244 cases—accounting for 7.6% of the county’s total. This highlights the continued importance of domestic violence prevention and victim protection in indigenous communities.

The County’s Department of Social and Labor Affairs notes that domestic violence incidents are rarely caused by a single factor. Based on practical service experience, cases in indigenous areas are often linked to alcohol abuse, economic stress, intimate partner conflicts, caregiving burdens, and emotional regulation difficulties. Some victims, trapped in cycles of long-term violence, tend to downplay the abuse, perceiving it as mere marital disputes or alcohol-induced altercations. Others remain silent due to concerns about family relationships, tribal stigma, and tight-knit community networks, making early detection and intervention difficult.

To ensure victim safety and reduce the risk of re-victimization, Nantou County continues to strengthen its domestic violence prevention initiatives. Social workers from the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Center provide immediate direct services upon receiving reports, including risk assessment, safety planning, assistance with protection order applications, legal counseling, emotional support, welfare resource linkage, and accompaniment services. Additional resources such as psychological counseling, medical care, financial aid, and employment support are also connected based on individual needs, helping victims gradually rebuild safe and stable lives.

Moreover, to ensure ongoing support after crisis intervention, the county promotes localized direct services for indigenous victims. In Ren'ai Township, the Nantou County Ren'ai Township Shanhe Gospel Life Care Association, and in Xinyi Township, the Nantou County Xinyi Township Bunun Cultural Association, deliver tailored support to indigenous victims. Through home visits, phone check-ins, emotional support, welfare referrals, accompaniment, and community engagement, these organizations continuously monitor victims’ living conditions, stabilize family functions, and reduce the risk of recurring violence.

Notably, cultural sensitivity and local companionship are central to these efforts. Most social workers in Ren'ai and Xinyi Townships are of indigenous descent, familiar with tribal customs, lifestyles, and cultural values. They can communicate in indigenous languages with victims who do not speak Mandarin, enabling deeper understanding of family structures and community dynamics. This shared cultural background fosters rapid trust-building, reduces victims’ unfamiliarity and resistance toward formal support systems, and increases service acceptance—ensuring protection services are closely aligned with the actual needs of indigenous families.

Nantou County will continue collaborating with various network partners to develop a culturally appropriate protection model for indigenous communities. Through early detection, timely intervention, and sustained support, the county aims to safeguard indigenous family safety and create a secure, inclusive living environment.