13-Year-Old Girl Beaten by Instructor at Chinese Training Camp, Claims She Thought Mother Had Ordered the Punishment
On March 19, a mother, Wang, sent her 13-year-old daughter to an outdoor training and expansion practice base in Hunan Province's Yiyang City for psychological counseling and expansion training, paying 6,800 yuan for a one-month experience. However, when she picked up her daughter on April 20, the girl revealed that she had been beaten by a female instructor on the third day of her stay. According to Wang, her daughter said that the instructor had dragged her to a vacant dormitory on the first floor and, with the help of two others, punched and kicked her. The same evening, the instructor beat her again in front of 13 other children in the dormitory.

13 May 2025
The girl claimed that the instructor had grabbed her hair, slammed her head against the wall and floor several times, and even choked her neck. The instructor also allegedly tore out some of the girl's hair, which she had collected in a plastic bag. The girl initially did not dare to tell her mother about the incident, believing that it was her mother who had instructed the instructor to discipline her. The mother only learned about the beating when she asked her daughter about her experience at the base. Wang reported the incident to the police and the local education bureau, which have launched an investigation.
The base's responsible person, Yang, claimed that the incident was a result of a physical conflict between the girl and her classmates, and that the instructor had only lightly disciplined her. However, Wang disputed this account, citing her daughter's testimony and the fact that other students at the base had confirmed the beating. The local education bureau has ordered the base to suspend or dismiss the instructor involved, but the incident has raised concerns about the treatment of students at such training bases and the lack of effective supervision and monitoring.
The incident has sparked a heated debate online, with many netizens expressing shock and outrage over the existence of such institutions. Some pointed out that children need to be seen and understood, rather than being corrected and suppressed. Others argued that the emergence of these institutions is a manifestation of deeper societal and family issues, calling on relevant authorities to strengthen regulation and crack down on such establishments. The Education Bureau of Heshan District in Yiyang City stated that a physical altercation occurred between a trainee and her classmates during a training session, and that the coach intervened to stop the fight, but due to the trainee's emotional state, physical contact occurred during the coach's attempt to calm her down.
Preliminary findings suggest that the coach did not intentionally assault the student, but the investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case continues to unfold. The reaction of the parents, in this case, underscores the trust that is typically placed in educational and training institutions. Wang's concern for her daughter's well-being and her actions to seek justice reflect the universal parental desire to protect their children from harm. The community's response, along with the official investigations, will be crucial in determining the next steps and in ensuring that any wrongdoing is addressed appropriately.
The incident has also raised questions about the role of parental authority and the limits of discipline. Many have taken to social media to voice their concerns, with many emphasizing the need for a more nurturing and supportive environment for children. As one user commented, "Children should be guided with love and patience, not fear and violence." Another user noted, "This is not just a problem with the institution, but also with the parents who send their children there. We need to rethink our values and prioritize the well-being of our children." The online discussion has also highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about child development and parenting, with many users sharing their own experiences and insights, offering alternative approaches to discipline and child-rearing.



