品格证据在性骚扰民事案件中的运用——美国的立法、判例及启示

The Admission of Character Evidence in Sexual Harassment Cases: Legislation and Cases in the US and Their Revelation

美国近年来在"最大限度地保护被害妇女利益"的社会政策的影响下,品格证据的使用规则在立法方面出现了向受害人一方倾斜的趋势:在性骚扰民事案件中禁止使用受害人的品格证据,允许使用加害人的品格证据。美国《联邦证据规则》第411—415条确定的品格证据使用规则通过判例法进一步精细化,力图在维护受害人合法权益的同时,平衡原、被告双方的力量对比关系。我国在对待性骚扰案件中的品格证据的问题上,也可借鉴美国的经验。品格证据的使用应当严格贯彻"关联性"、"相似性"、"有限性"原则,同时应加强品格证据使用的程序保障制度的建设。

In recent years in the US, under the impact of the social policy of ＂protecting women victims＇ interests to the maximum＂, in legislative area, a trend has taken shape in which admission rule of character evidence tilts in favor of victims. In sexual harassment cases of civil nature, it is prohibited to introduce character evidence of victims, but it is allowed when evidence concerns perpetrators. Articles 411 to 415 of Federal Rules of Evidence setting out the application of rule of character evidence develop in a much more detailed way on the basis of case law. While safeguarding the legitimate interests of victims, they also aim at balancing power relation between two parties concerned. In dealing with admission of character evidence in sexual harassment trials in China, we may learn from American lessons. Principles of ＂ relevancy＂, ＂ similarity＂ and ＂necessity＂ should be strictly followed when using character evidence. Meanwhile, efforts should be made to establish procedural guarantee in terms of use of character evidence in sexual harassment cases.