‘A bed of nails’: China’s #MeToo accusers crushed by burden of proof and counterclaims
- Two Chinese women who claimed they were violated by powerful men were then sued by their alleged assailants for defamation
- Activist says Beijing’s crackdown on feminists in recent years, coupled with male-dominated power, may push more women to fight back against oppression
At a classroom screening of North Country at a US university in October, students were startled to find their Chinese-born teacher sobbing uncontrollably.
Little did they know that the film – based on the woman who won the first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit in the United States – had struck a personal chord with He Qian, 33, a University of Oklahoma faculty member.
Like the lead character Josey Aimes, He Qian had accused a man of sexual harassment and gone to court for it. But, unlike Aimes, she was the one sued – and she lost.
In January last year, a Chinese court ruled that He’s allegations – that prominent journalist and philanthropist Deng Fei forcibly kissed and groped her – “lacked factual evidence and legal basis”. She and a friend who helped share her story online were ordered to pay Deng 11,712 yuan (US$1,840) in legal fees and damages for defamation.