Godsent Ogbebor
Rape and Abuse Allegations Uncovered at Chinese ‘Disciplinary Schools’
Disturbing allegations of rape, physical abuse, and forced labour have surfaced from multiple Chinese “disciplinary schools” that claim to reform troubled youths. Former students have accused staff of using extreme methods, including sexual assault and corporal punishment, to “correct” their behaviour.
One of the schools at the centre of these allegations is Lizheng Quality Education School in Hunan province. Testimonies from former students reveal the brutal conditions inside, with claims of instructors using beatings and intense physical exercises to punish students. Some victims have also accused staff members of sexual harassment and assault.
The institutions, which target youths struggling with issues like internet addiction, rebelliousness, and depression, have been criticised for employing military-style discipline, which former students say includes physical violence and emotional abuse. Some former students describe being abducted from their homes and forcibly taken to these schools under false pretences, where they were subjected to extreme abuse.
Read also: Trump Greenlights Sale of AI Chips to China Amid Geopolitical Tensions
The reports highlight the ongoing issue of corporal punishment in these institutions, despite its official ban in China. The abusive practices, which include physical beatings and sexual assault, are said to be commonplace across at least 10 schools run by or linked to military veteran Li Zheng, who has faced accusations of involvement in organised crime.
Parents, often unaware of the harsh realities of these institutions, have been sending their children to them in hopes of reform, only for their children to suffer severe trauma. Calls for the closure of these schools have been growing, with activists urging the Chinese government to intervene and stop the abuse.
The Chinese government has stated that all educational institutions must comply with regulations to ensure the safety of minors. Still, these allegations suggest a severe gap in enforcement, leaving vulnerable youths at risk.
