In this generation of rapidly growing 4G and 5G internet speed, ubiquitous cellphone use seems to be also satisfying the everyday needs of digital natives. Data research, doing homework, recreational use - even social networking exists in the virtual world. According to CWLF survey, 66% of the children believe that, “It’s easier to make friends over the

After the COVID-19 pandemic pushed all levels of school to shift classrooms to online platforms in May, parents started to show concerns over their children’s online learning condition and the risk of getting Internet addiction. Some parents may also need to face reduced working hours or job losses. Still, these challenges would be magnified in the rural areas. CWLF conducted the “Online Learning and Living Conditions of Children in Rural Areas ” survey during the pandemic this year. It was found that in the rural areas, most families’ income reduced during the pandemic. Moreover, children needed to face challenges of access to digital device or Internet or lack of family support. Compared with children living in the cities with affluent resources, the urban-rural digital divide was alarming.

It was always sad to see child abuse incidents on news. Besides the wounds on children’s bodies, these adverse childhood experiences would cause long term harm on these children’s physical and mental health, even after they turned into adults. Since Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States published the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study, the impact trauma creates on physical and mental health has drawn public attention. The ACEs study collected information from over 17,000 adults between 1995 and 1997. Respondents were asked ten questions relating their childhood experiences such as whether they were physically or sexually abused. One adverse experience counted 1 point. Each person’s final scores would be cross analyzed with their medical records. The results showed that respondents with higher ACEs scores had higher chances of getting heart diseases, liver diseases, cancer and depression. They were also more likely to experience issues such as obesity, substance abuse, social and emotional disorders, suicidal tendency, etc. Given to the possibility of cultural differences, we wondered what the results might be if the study was conducted in Taiwan. Therefore, CWLF also conducted an adverse childhood experiences survey on high schoolers in Taiwan. Through this survey, we hoped to understand the prevalence and effects of ACEs in Taiwan, seek ways to respond to trauma and prevent re-traumatization.

CWLF provides care for an average of 56 children in adoption program each month. However, it was discovered that fewer and fewer families came to CWLF to adopt lately. According to CWLF surveys, there were 2,322 calls inquiring about adoption in 2018, compared to 1,568 calls in 2020. The amount of calls has reduced more than 30% over the past three years. Fewer and fewer families register for adoption, which means it becomes more difficult for children in care to find a family.

CWLF Representative Attended Cross-Party Group Press Conference Hosted by Legislative Yuan Association for Child Rights | Call for Action to End Child Maltreatment | Propose Childcare Specialized Act (Civil Society Version)

Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) Chief Executive Officer Li-Fang Pai explained the goals of consistently launching “Orange Ribbon | Love Children Zero Violence” campaign every year were: 11 years ago, there was a severe child abuse case where a 2-year-old boy was tortured to death, and the case had brought wide public attention. Besides offering our condolences, we started to deliberate on prevention. Therefore, we introduced the Orange Ribbon Movement from Japan in the same year and hoped to raise public awareness on the prevention of child abuse through our continued call for action. Many years have passed, but child abuse is still constantly occurring. In addition to our efforts of advocacy for primary prevention of child abuse v

Almost 80% of children think cyberbullying is severe. 26% bullied children had self-harm thoughts. CWLF has partnered with Coca-Cola Foundation to launch “I Have My Right Against Bullying” anti-bullying annual campaigns since 2017. Last year (2020) with the amendment of Regulations Governing Prevention and Control of Bullying on Campuses, we called on the digital natives to stop cyberbullying. This year we continued focusing on cyberbullying issues and conducted “2021 Online Social Anxiety and Cyberbullying Experiences among Children in Taiwan Survey ” on 7th to 12th graders. The report showed that 21.1% children had been the victims of cyberbullying, which means in average, more than 1 in 5 children had been cyberbullied. The most common forms of cyberbullying among children are “unsolicited attack or accusation from others: 64.1%, hateful messages or comments: 50.0%, spread of unverified accusations or rumors to damage my reputation: 45.

It is our pleasure to announce that today Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) joins The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect (ISPCAN) as a Country Partner!

With “Trauma-Informed Care” and “Infant and Toddler Parenting Support” as the themes, CWLF celebrates our 30th anniversary with an international conference which will take place on September 27-28, 2021.