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“I was sexually assaulted today, it’s not shameful to talk about, at least I don’t feel that way,” said Sina Weibo user @alishanshenludan in a post on the social media site.
The 22-year-old man from northeast China's Dalian city has won mass support after speaking out about being molested by his male driving coach during a field course.
He is also calling for people to be more cautious while alone with driving coaches.
Sina Weibo Screenshot
“Sexual assault could happen to anyone regardless of gender and age, and that is important,” @alishanshenludan said. “If you’re alone with the coach in the wild, and you’re no match for him, surviving is the top priority.”
Following the incident, the man went home and told his mother he was “assaulted.” His mother, however, didn’t take it too seriously, and told
him to have a shower to shake it off.
But she soon realized the gravity of the situation after seeing the doctor’s diagnosis, which showed a severe injury on the head of her son's penis.
They decided to report the incident to the police, with the injuries as the only evidence.
“After suffering so much, he (the son) didn’t abuse anybody, nor did he cry, but insisted on calling the police with calm, and finally we got the result,” she said.
Yongqing Driving School, where the man took courses, said they had fired the alleged molester, named Xu Sheng.
The police confirmed on Monday that they had sentenced Sheng to ten days’ detention for “molesting a student’s genitals with mouth and hand.”
Molestation is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment under China's criminal law.
Outraged netizens flocked in to show their support and encouragement to the victim, with some calling for justice.
“The world is filled with filthy things, but I hope your sincere soul won’t be polluted. None of us here regard it as a shameful experience, and I hope you will be as tenacious as before,” commented Sina Weibo user @san-mao-jia.
“Try to move on, although it’s really unbearable, don’t plunge yourself in the negative mood, fighting! And I wish the coach would pay his price one day,” another user @dedededede said.
“You’re the first one who dares to speak out, while most others chose to suffer in silence. Give you my full support, and I hope your courage could inspire many others,” @yisiqierwuba said.
The mom said she regretted her initial actions that led to the destruction of evidence, and her hesitation in speaking up later. The son, she said, had taught her a good lesson.
“My son told me he was assaulted just because no one before him dared to speak up,” the mom said, “if he keeps silent, then more people would be victimized… I’m really proud of him.”
“That’s my overdue confession, and I hope more families of the victims would see,” she said.
(CGTN)
