A viral incident of school bullying in Jiangyou, Sichuan province, is igniting public outrage and significant protests as citizens rally for justice for a 14-year-old girl victimized by her peers. Footage of the incident, which surfaced last week, shows the girl being assaulted by three other minors, eliciting a strong reaction from the community.
The police identified the aggressors as a group of three girls, aged between 13 and 15, with reports indicating that two of them have been transferred to "specialised schools for corrective education." Many in the public deem this response inadequate, particularly since the victim had allegedly experienced prolonged bullying, and her mother, who is deaf, has been actively appealing for justice.
In several clips recorded by the aggressors, the victim declares her intent to involve law enforcement after being assailed with sticks, to which one attacker brazenly responds that they are unafraid. Another perpetrator alleged a history of being released swiftly after multiple police encounters, further heightening the public’s fear about the efficacy of law enforcement in combating bullying.
As news of the event circulated online, it galvanized a wave of protests in Jiangyou. On August 4th, an estimated 1,000 demonstrators gathered outside local government buildings, resulting in confrontations with police. Witnesses reported that tensions escalated, with law enforcement using batons and electric prods to disperse the crowd. Some protestors retaliated by tossing water bottles at police, illuminating the deep resentment regarding inadequate punishment for bullies.
The government has since attempted to quell rumors alleging that the aggressors are linked to influential families, stressing that their parents are employed in humble positions or are unemployed. However, these efforts have not alleviated public frustration, leading authorities to penalize two individuals for disseminating misinformation online amidst escalating unrest.
Legal experts have pointed out the systemic issues inherent in how bullying is addressed legally in China, with a notable disproportion between the penalties for minor harm and the severe psychological impact on victims. This imbalance has compelled many to call for legislative reforms to ensure better protection of students’ rights.
Bullying remains an incredibly sensitive topic in China, with previous cases leading to violent protests as incidents of student death have come into scrutiny. This current situation underscores the urgent need for societal dialogue and structural reforms to protect vulnerable students and establish a supportive environment within schools throughout the nation.
