Outrage in China Following School Bullying Incident Sparks Protests

Protests in southern China erupted in Jiangyou after a distressing bullying incident involving a 14-year-old girl went viral, leading demonstrators to call for stronger measures against school violence and justice for the victim.

A disturbing bullying episode in Jiangyou, Sichuan province, has led to significant public unrest and calls for justice for a 14-year-old girl, whose harrowing ordeal was captured in a viral video. The footage shows her being slapped, kicked, and coerced into kneeling by three other minors aged 13, 14, and 15, prompting widespread outrage across social media platforms in China.

Following the video's circulation, many individuals expressed that the punishment meted out—two of the assailants sent to "specialized schools for corrective education”—was inadequate, particularly after claims emerged that the victim had endured bullying for an extended period. Reports indicate that her mother, who is deaf, had earnestly sought more robust responses from authorities regarding her daughter's situation.

In a series of videos filmed by the aggressors, the victim can be heard stating her intention to call the police following their physical assaults, to which one assailant nonchalantly replied that they were unafraid. Additionally, another claimed to have visited the police station over ten times, asserting that she had been released within 20 minutes. Such remarks struck a chord with many netizens, who worry that existing laws fail to effectively address the plight of victims of bullying.

As condemnation of the incident intensified online, protests ignited outside government buildings in Jiangyou, attracting over 1,000 participants who remained in the streets past midnight. An eyewitness recounted how police escalated the situation when they intervened, allegedly deploying batons and electric prods to control the crowd. Some videos shared online corroborate this account, showing police dragging protesters and using force to manage the demonstrations.

Witnesses have chosen to remain anonymous due to concerns about police repercussions. When contacted for a statement, the Jiangyou Public Security Bureau noted "limitations on foreign press asking questions," indicating a potential clampdown on information dissemination regarding the incident.

While protests are a common avenue for expression in China, they are often swiftly suppressed and censored by state media. The protests in Jiangyou compelled law enforcement to issue clarifications disputing false claims circulating on social media about the assailants' family connections, asserting that two of them were unemployed while others held various local jobs.

A Shanghai-based attorney commented online about the incident, arguing that it underscores a significant legal dilemma—current regulations permit lenient penalties for physical harm while neglecting the severe mental and emotional toll on victims. His identity has been verified by independent sources, though he remains unnamed for safety.

Bullying in Chinese schools has become an increasingly contentious issue, with past instances leading to student fatalities and subsequent protests. A tragic incident earlier this year, involving a teenage boy's death which was later alleged to involve a police cover-up, also incited public outrage in Pucheng, Shaanxi province. Moreover, a court case last year resulted in severe sentences for two teenagers convicted of murdering a classmate following relentless torment.

The recent protests highlight a growing demand among the public for effective reforms and stronger protections against bullying in schools, as the outcry for justice continues to echo nationwide.