Compliance
Punitive Damages
Additional damages awarded to a victim beyond actual losses, intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.
Definition
Under the 2023 amendments, victims of sexual harassment, particularly those subjected to abuse of power sexual harassment by an employer or person in charge, may be awarded punitive damages. These damages can range from one to three times the amount of general damages, and in severe cases involving abuse of power by an employer or person in charge, they can be increased to three to five times the amount of damages, or even a fivefold increase in civil compensation. These are intended to punish the perpetrator and deter future misconduct, providing a stronger deterrent effect than compensatory damages alone.