JIANGYOU, China — A violent school bullying case in southern China has triggered widespread outrage and street protests after a video went viral showing a 14-year-old girl being slapped, kicked, and forced to kneel by three other minors in Jiangyou, Sichuan province.
The suspects, all female and aged 13, 14, and 15, were reportedly sent to specialized correctional schools. However, many online and in the streets argue that the punishment is far too lenient, especially given allegations that the victim had been repeatedly targeted and that her mother — who is reportedly deaf — pleaded for more severe justice.
In the disturbing video, filmed by the attackers themselves, the girl is heard threatening to call the police. One attacker responds that she had already been to the police station over 10 times and was released in less than 20 minutes, fueling public anger over perceived legal loopholes.
On August 4, over 1,000 people protested outside local government offices, demanding accountability. Eyewitnesses said the protests turned violent when police used batons and electric prods on the crowd. Videos circulating online show officers dragging protesters and clashing with civilians.
Police later issued a second statement denying rumors that the attackers were children of high-ranking officials, saying their parents were either unemployed or held modest jobs. Two individuals were reportedly punished for spreading misinformation online.
Legal experts in China have since called attention to gaps in the country’s juvenile justice system, criticizing the light penalties for serious bullying and the law’s failure to fully recognize the emotional and psychological toll on victims.
Bullying has become a highly sensitive issue in China, with past cases involving student suicides prompting public outcry. While protests are rare and often quickly censored, the Jiangyou incident has reignited national debate over how such cases are handled.