Girl’s suicide spotlights sexual abuse in China

THE suicide of a Chinese teenager has sparked national soul-searching, after her claims of sexual assault were dismissed, and outrage, as callous onlookers urged her to jump off a building.

Li Yiyi, 19, died when she threw herself from the eighth floor of a department store in Qingyang city, China. Public anger erupted after videos surfaced online along with reports that onlookers encouraged her to “jump quickly” before firefighters arrived.

The police have detained two people who were at the scene last week.

Ms Li’s case has put a spotlight on the struggle of Chinese women against sexism and to get legal redress when targeted for harassment and abuse.

The teenager had been upset when prosecutors cleared a teacher she accused of kissing and trying to strip her naked, saying his behaviour was not criminal. But since her death, he has been banned from teaching. Additional reporting by Christine Wei