Teacher from Shaanxi Normal University allegedly shared indecent photos with female students? Report made 9 years ago with no results

China’s university scandals continue to surface. Following a Ph.D. student at Renmin University of China reporting sexual harassment by a 65-year-old advisor, news recently emerged of an associate professor at Shaanxi Normal University sending inappropriate photos and sexually harassing female students. It was revealed that a student had reported this behavior to the university nine years ago, but no action was taken.

On the afternoon of July 21, Wang Di, a Ph.D. student at Renmin University of China, publicly accused her advisor, Wang Guiyuan, former party secretary and vice dean of the School of Literature at Renmin University, of sexual harassment, sparking widespread attention online.

On July 22, before Renmin University made a decision to dismiss Wang Guiyuan, Xiao Yu (pseudonym), a graduate of Shaanxi Normal University, shared a link to the Weibo post about the female Ph.D. student at Renmin University filing a sexual harassment complaint against her advisor with a former teacher, Wang, on WeChat. Xiaoyu also forwarded the response from Renmin University stating they were investigating the matter.

In the conversation, Xiaoyu accused Wang of inappropriate behavior towards other female students, saying she heard about his actions from some alumni and felt it was necessary to share the news with him as a caution. Wang responded by thanking her and acknowledging the need for caution.

That evening around 8:40 pm, Xiaoyu posted screenshots of her earlier conversation with Wang in a WeChat group consisting of over 200 people, mainly graduates and some faculty members of the School of Journalism and Communication at Shaanxi Normal University (referred to as “Shaanxi Normal University SJCOM”), where Xiaoyu and Wang studied.

The screenshots sparked discussions within the group. Xiaoyu expressed her desire to raise awareness to protect future female students, stating, “Let more people know, at least to protect the younger sisters behind us. That’s what I hope for the most.”

Subsequently, the group administrator informed members that the school had contacted them, promising a serious investigation and urging trust in the institution to prevent further public pressure. The group was then dissolved.

Xiaoyu graduated from the SJCOM at Shaanxi Normal University several years ago. She told reporters that Wang had been her thesis advisor. During her time at the university, Wang shared explicit details of his personal life with her, touched her buttocks under the guise of offering clothing advice, and after graduation, sent her explicit photos on WeChat accompanied by suggestive comments.

In 2015, Xiaoyu’s classmates had reported Wang’s sexual harassment to the Shaanxi Normal University authorities with printed chat records, but no action was taken. Revealing these incidents, Xiaoyu aimed to protect future female students and let others with similar experiences know they are not alone and that being victimized is not their fault or something to be ashamed of.

On the evening of the incident, journalists from a local news outlet found Wang’s profile on the SJCOM official website removed after originally being listed as an associate professor and master’s supervisor. They reached out to the university’s Discipline Inspection Office and the SJCOM on multiple occasions but received varying responses and were advised to contact the university’s Publicity Department for further information.

On July 24, the same news outlet confirmed with an official at SJCOM that the university was conducting a serious investigation and handling the matter accordingly. The university had reached out to Xiaoyu and promised to take it seriously.

This incident has once again drawn public attention to the scandals plaguing Chinese universities.

Internet users shared their views on the issue, with some pointing out previous reports of inaction by universities regarding sexual harassment complaints.

Many expressed disappointment in the handling of such cases, criticizing the institutions for not taking appropriate action to protect students’ rights and ensure a safe learning environment.