School sparks outrage after saying 'harassment is caused by wearing revealing clothes'

A school in China has received strong criticism for teaching female students that victims of sexual harassment are mainly due to their revealing and seductive clothing.

According to the People's Daily , Zhaoqing No. 1 Middle School in Guangdong held a "mental health education " class in the spring semester last year. Controversy began to arise in August this year after some netizens posted a short clip from the class's syllabus on social media.

"Sexual harassment mainly stems from sexual desire. Many victims are victims of revealing clothes and seductive gestures. Therefore, as girls, you should know how to protect yourself. Do not wear see-through or revealing clothes; do not speak or act flirtatiously," quoted from the textbook.

Many Chinese internet users were outraged. They said the teacher's attitude represented the gender inequality that is deeply rooted in China's patriarchal society.

“The teacher in that class has a problem,” the comment received 19,000 likes on Weibo. Others also said blaming the victim was dangerous.

Another wrote: "Why should the victims take the blame for the perpetrators?"

Supporters of a female student who sued for sexual harassment in China, December 2020. Photo: Caiwei Chen

The Zhaoqing City Education Bureau confirmed on August 9 that the lecture had some "inappropriate expressions that caused misunderstandings among internet users." The agency has criticized those involved and asked the school to make corrections.

However, the above solution does not ease the tension. Many people believe that this is not a mistake, "misleading" but reflects a popular view.

"People online are not misunderstanding. The punishment is too light," one user commented.

The school involved in the incident has yet to comment.

Similar controversies have flared up on Chinese social media several times. Last November, a young woman was attacked in a public restroom in Zhejiang. Many social media users blamed the girl for “skimpy clothing” which angered her mother.

“What do clothes have to do with being beaten? Is that a reason for a crime?” she said.

Khanh Linh (According to CNN, SCMP)

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