Sichuan Residents Protest Teen Bullying Incident, Police Disperse Demonstrators

On August 4, 2025, many residents of Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, gathered in front of the Jiangyou municipal government to support a 14-year-old girl, surnamed Lai, who had been bullied and assaulted, and to demand justice for her and her family. As the number of participants increased, authorities deployed a large police force to maintain order. Under police direction, plainclothes personnel moved into the crowd, targeting citizens who appeared emotionally agitated and were holding mobile phones. Several individuals were apprehended and taken away.

The protests followed a widely circulated bullying video. According to an August 4 public notice from Jiangyou Public Security Bureau, the incident occurred on July 22, 2025, at about 15:00 in an abandoned building in the city. Liu (female, 15) invited Liu (female, 13) and Peng (female, 14) to confront Lai (female, 14) following a dispute. At the scene, they verbally threatened and physically assaulted Lai while others looked on and recorded the attack. The resulting injuries included contusions to Lai's scalp and knees, diagnosed as minor injuries. The bullying video uploaded online is approximately 10 minutes and 45 seconds long.

The police have released statements on the incident for two consecutive days, confirming that all perpetrators were minors. The gathering on August 4 was a spontaneous act by local citizens demanding that authorities address the issue and ensure justice, but it was met with a rapid and forceful security response that included detentions.

On July 22, 2025, in Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province, a 14-year-old girl named Lai was assaulted, insulted, and forced to kneel by three female minors aged 13 to 15 in an empty building area. The attack was recorded by bystanders and later uploaded online. The video showed one assailant stating, “Do you think we’re afraid of you? It’s not like we haven’t been detained before,” implying that short detentions posed no concern. Lai sustained multiple contusions to her scalp and knees, assessed as minor injuries. Police apprehended all involved; two perpetrators, Liu (15) and Peng (14), received administrative punishment and were ordered to attend a specialized school for corrective education. Liu (13) and other onlookers were reprimanded, with guardians instructed to enforce stricter discipline.

Rumors spread online alleging the attackers were from influential families, including claims that one was the daughter of a Jiangyou Public Security Bureau deputy director. Authorities investigated and refuted these claims on August 4, stating the parents’ occupations ranged from unemployed to sales clerks and delivery workers. Two internet users, Ding (41) and Yang (27), were penalized for fabricating and spreading these rumors.

The incident provoked widespread outrage once the video circulated on August 2. On August 4, thousands gathered outside the Jiangyou municipal government demanding harsher punishment. Police deployed large numbers of officers and black-clad personnel to disperse the crowd. Videos showed officers using batons and stun devices, dragging protesters away, and inflicting visible injuries. Multiple arrests were made. By August 5, heavy police presence had cleared the streets.

Lai’s family, who confirmed her mother is deaf, reported she had been bullied by the same group previously, though the motive remains uncertain. They stated the perpetrators’ families had not apologized and demanded official accountability and full responsibility from the attackers’ parents. The family noted that while Lai’s emotional state was improving, she still suffered psychological trauma that required professional counseling.

Authorities emphasized the need for societal protection of minors, urged the public not to spread related videos to prevent further harm, and reiterated their stance of zero tolerance toward violations of minors’ rights.