National award-winning artist gets jail term for raping fan

Taipei, Jan. 16 (CNA) Pingtung District Court handed down a four-year-and-six-month jail sentence to Indigenous artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung on Thursday after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting a female fan nearly four years ago in Pingtung County.

The court ruling came after Sakuliu was indicted in September 2022 for sexual assault by Pingtung prosecutors after an investigation into allegations that first appeared in social media posts in 2021.

According to a Pingtung District Court document, the case dates back to Feb. 9, 2021, when Sakuliu had welcomed a fan, who wanted to learn about his work as an artist, to have a drink at his home in Pingtung's Sandimen Township.

He later invited the fan on an excursion and drove her to Dashi Canyon in Sandimen the next day around 1-2 a.m. where they camped near a stream.

Sakuliu attempted to wrap his arms around her but was pushed away. Undeterred, he forced her down on a sleeping mat and raped her, the court said.

He failed to exercise self-control, had improper motives and intentions, did not respect the woman's right to sexual autonomy and caused psychological harm and trauma that would be difficult to recover from, the court said.

Based on the evidence collected, including records of the subsequent conversation between the two on a social media messaging app and witness statements, the court ruled Sakuliu guilty and sentenced him to four years and six months in prison.

The ruling, however, can still be appealed.

Born in a Paiwan village in Pingtung's Sandimen, Sakuliu creates various works, including painting, sculpture, installation and architecture. He also engages in the preservation of Indigenous culture through art and activism.

He also received the National Culture and Arts Foundation's National Award for Arts in 2018.