29 Busted for Sexual Harassment on Shenzhen Metro
By Jessica Ho
Police in Shenzhen are cracking down on sexual harassment on the subway with an approach that focuses on punishing the perpetrators of harassment instead of victim-shaming women.
In a recent article posted on Shenzhen police’s WeChat account, they cheekily claim to be working to “defend women’s right to wear skirts.”
Shenzhen police also published the results of their ongoing operation, in which plain-clothed officers have been riding the subway as part of an effort to ensure women’s safety.
READ MORE: Groper in Shenzhen Metro Female-Priority Car Caught, Detained
The crackdown has been running since June 22, and has already seen 29 subway passengers busted for misdemeanors including upskirting (taking unsolicited photos up women’s skirts) and groping fellow passengers. According to police, at least two were detained for five days after not admitting to their offenses.
The article also urges victims of sexual harassment to speak out, and for the general public to help them catch the perpetrators of these crimes by reassuring readers that the “subway police are always on your side.”
Some Chinese netizens have praised the police for supporting the victims of harassment. As one user commented on the article: “this is a responsible society and they are responsible policemen. Telling girls what they should or shouldn't wear is pathetic.”
Another user comments: “If men who sexually harass women are not severely punished, this issue will not go away even if women stay at home and cover their entire bodies.”
[Top image via Shenzhen Public Security Bureau]
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