A top Chinese university has taken swift action by firing a professor following allegations of sexual harassment made by a graduate student on social media. The student, identified as Wang Di, posted a 59-minute video on Weibo detailing her experiences of physical and verbal abuse by her supervisor at Renmin University of China’s School of Liberal Arts in Beijing.
Wang Di revealed that the professor had harassed her for over two years after she rejected his advances, leading to a toxic work environment where she was subjected to scolding and threats affecting her academic progress. She provided audio clips as evidence, including one where the professor can be heard attempting to kiss her despite her repeated objections.
The student's courageous post garnered significant support online, with 2.2 million likes and numerous comments backing her stance. Renmin University conducted an investigation and confirmed the validity of the complaints, resulting in the immediate termination of the professor's employment, revocation of his party membership, and legal action taken in accordance with the law.
The university condemned the professor's actions as a betrayal of the institution's educational mission and a violation of party discipline and school regulations. Despite the allegations, the professor has not issued a response to the accusations.
This incident sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals speaking out against sexual harassment in China, where public accusations have become increasingly rare due to government suppression of movements like #MeToo. The ruling Communist Party's strict control over social discourse has led to the swift censorship of such allegations, as seen in previous cases where activists advocating for women's rights have faced severe repercussions.
While the student's post has since been removed from Weibo following the university's decision, the impact of her actions in holding the professor accountable for his misconduct serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing such issues within academic institutions and society at large.
