In Jiangyou, Sichuan province, a school bullying incident has led to widespread protests, igniting public outrage over the perceived inadequacy of the punishment meted out to the offenders. A shocking video emerged last week showing a 14-year-old girl being assaulted by three other minors, prompting calls for justice from the community.
The assailants, all females aged between 13 and 15, have reportedly been sent to "specialized schools for corrective education." This lenient response has drawn ire, especially given claims that the victim faced sustained bullying over time. Witness reports indicate that her mother, described as deaf, has actively sought justice for her daughter, further fueling the anger displayed at the protests.
On August 4, over a thousand people gathered outside local government offices, expressing their frustration as night fell. Eyewitness accounts reveal confrontations with police, who responded with batons and electric prods to disperse the crowd. Footage shared online corroborated claims of police violence, as officers were seen dragging and hitting protesters, with some witnesses noting bottles were thrown in retaliation.
Local authorities have attempted to mitigate public unrest by addressing rumors regarding the assailants' backgrounds, stating that due to misinformation, two individuals were penalized for disrupting public order. The police response has drawn skepticism, especially considering the highly sensitive nature of bullying in China's society.
A Shanghai-based lawyer highlighted a significant legal challenge, pointing out the discrepancies between minor injury penalties and the severe mental trauma suffered by victims. This incident mirrors previous cases where bullying in schools has incited public demonstrations and violence across the country, probing deeper systemic issues around the treatment of such cases in China.
Prior instances have shown public unrest following tragic outcomes related to bullying, such as the January death of a teenager that led to violent protests in Shaanxi. Public concern continues to mount as responses to bullying incidents reveal an ongoing struggle within the legal framework to protect victims adequately.
The assailants, all females aged between 13 and 15, have reportedly been sent to "specialized schools for corrective education." This lenient response has drawn ire, especially given claims that the victim faced sustained bullying over time. Witness reports indicate that her mother, described as deaf, has actively sought justice for her daughter, further fueling the anger displayed at the protests.
On August 4, over a thousand people gathered outside local government offices, expressing their frustration as night fell. Eyewitness accounts reveal confrontations with police, who responded with batons and electric prods to disperse the crowd. Footage shared online corroborated claims of police violence, as officers were seen dragging and hitting protesters, with some witnesses noting bottles were thrown in retaliation.
Local authorities have attempted to mitigate public unrest by addressing rumors regarding the assailants' backgrounds, stating that due to misinformation, two individuals were penalized for disrupting public order. The police response has drawn skepticism, especially considering the highly sensitive nature of bullying in China's society.
A Shanghai-based lawyer highlighted a significant legal challenge, pointing out the discrepancies between minor injury penalties and the severe mental trauma suffered by victims. This incident mirrors previous cases where bullying in schools has incited public demonstrations and violence across the country, probing deeper systemic issues around the treatment of such cases in China.
Prior instances have shown public unrest following tragic outcomes related to bullying, such as the January death of a teenager that led to violent protests in Shaanxi. Public concern continues to mount as responses to bullying incidents reveal an ongoing struggle within the legal framework to protect victims adequately.
