School speech in China blaming sexual harassment on girls’ ‘flirtatious’ behaviour, revealing clothes causes outrage
- Presentation slide accompanying speech claim sexual harassment caused by erotism and revealing clothes or behaviour
- Story has provoked online debate in China about sexual harassment of women and victim blaming
A secondary school in China has sparked controversy for telling female students not to be “flirtatious” or wear “revealing” clothes, claiming women’s behaviour is the cause of sexual harassment.
The No 1 Middle School of Huaiji county in Guangdong province in southern China is under fire after a speech given to female students in April last year surfaced online this month, reported the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald.
A presentation slide accompanying the speech claimed that sexual harassment is caused by erotism and said many women became sexual harassment victims because of their revealing clothes or behaviour.
“So, as a girl, you should know how to protect yourself. Don’t wear see-through or revealing clothes, and don’t act in a flirtatious manner,” according to the slide.
After the victim-blaming presentation went viral online, the school defended itself, claiming it intended to remind girls to protect themselves. It also tried to suggest the slide was misleading the public because of the wording.
The presentation also suggested girls to avoid deserted roads at night. If they notice strangers following them, they should keep their distance and should try to get to a place with other people, such as a shop.