China Middle School’s ‘Flirtatious’ Sexual Harassment Advice Sparks Outrage

Online discussion over victim-blaming has been sparked by a contentious lecture on sexual harassment at a middle school in southern China.

Many commenters have criticized both the school and what they see to be an inadequate response from administrators.

According to Chinese state media People's Daily, the school, which is located in Zhaoqing City in Guangdong Province, offered a "mental health education" lesson last year, which is comparable to a sex education class in China, as reported by CNN.

However, images of the lesson plans just started to surface last month, displaying papers that claimed that sexual harassment victims "suffer because they dress flamboyantly and behave flirtatiously" and that "girls shouldn't wear transparent or skimpy clothes and should avoid frivolous behavior."

Outrage Sparked

On social media, the images sparked outrage and skepticism, with many accusing conservative sentiments of reflecting deeply ingrained gender inequity in a patriarchal society.

Local educational authorities responded to the criticism by issuing a statement last week stating that the online images depicted a lecture given at the institution in April.

(Photo: by STR/AFP via Getty Images) Students arrive at a school as grade three students in middle school and high school return after the term opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, in Huaian in China's eastern Jiangsu province on March 30, 2020.

The school was also instructed to review its lectures and enhance teacher training after the county's education bureau "criticized and educated relevant personnel," according to the document.

The official statement, however, also provoked criticism from some. Many argued that the teaching materials had not been an innocent mistake but rather a representation of true, widely held opinions in the nation and that the language of the statement, "misunderstanding," was incorrect.

On its website or social media accounts, the school has not yet published any official statements.

Not a First

Similar controversy has been sparked by a number of cases over the years, particularly in light of China's #MeToo movement, which has persevered despite numerous losses owing to censorship and an ongoing crackdown on feminist activity.

For instance, it was reported that a guy assaulted a young woman at a Zhejiang public restroom in November. She was "skimpily dressed," according to internet reviewers, but her mother told said: "What does clothing have to do with being beaten? Would that constitute a crime?"

And in 2021, a contentious advertisement for makeup removal wipes was removed from the internet following a significant uproar. The commercial depicted a woman being chased down the street at night by a would-be assailant, who flees in panic after she removes her makeup.

China's #MeToo Movement

The #MeToo movement in China (Chinese: #WoYeShi) emerged in 2017, shortly after it originated in the United States. The movement has been met with a mixed response in China, with some people supporting it and others criticizing it.

The #MeToo movement has had a significant impact on Chinese society. It has raised awareness of the issue of sexual harassment, and it has led to some changes in the way that sexual harassment is handled in China. For example, some universities have begun to implement new policies to prevent and address sexual harassment.