In brief
In a shocking investigation into China's network of disciplinary schools, former students recount experiences of physical and sexual abuse, abduction, and the psychological toll these institutions have taken on their lives. Despite regulations against corporal punishment, many schools continue to operate with alarming levels of violence, prompting calls for accountability and reform.
Warning: This report contains details of physical and sexual abuse and discussion of suicide.
Two young women, Baobao and Enxu, share their harrowing accounts of life in disciplinary schools in China, where they faced extreme physical punishment and psychological trauma. Both students were sent to these institutions by their parents, seeking relief from what they deemed rebellious behavior but faced abuse, isolation, and a collapse of familial trust.
Baobao recalls her six-month ordeal at Lizheng Quality Education School, where instructors used military-style discipline to 'correct' behavior deemed problematic. She reports severe beatings, sexual harassment, and a climate of fear that pushed her to the brink of suicide.
According to a BBC Eye investigation, over 23 former students reported physical abuse, with numerous allegations of sexual misconduct by instructors. The investigation reveals that young people have been forcibly taken to these schools under false pretenses by individuals posing as authorities, highlighting the severe ethical implications surrounding these institutions.
As public awareness of the abusive practices within these schools grows, former students and advocates are pushing back against the systemic abuse, calling for the closure of such facilities and greater accountability for those involved in their operation.
Dr. Yichen Rao, an anthropologist studying these institutions, explains that many parents feel hopeless about their children's behavior, believing that military-style discipline may offer the only solution. However, the stories from Baobao and Enxu demonstrate the detrimental effects of such practices, which are often more about profit than rehabilitation.
Both women express their desire to share their stories not only to seek justice for their experiences but also to prevent others from suffering the same fate. As they continue to work towards raising awareness and influencing change, their accounts serve as a crucial reminder of the ongoing struggles associated with educational abuses and family dynamics in China.
