In Landmark Ruling, China Rape Survivor's Ordeal Recognised As 'Industrial Injury'

Last Updated:September 26, 2025, 19:02 IST

The landmark ruling has drawn widespread public attention and is being seen as a major step in acknowledging workplace-related trauma

The incident took place in 2023 during a business trip to Hangzhou in eastern China, where she was raped by her boss. (Representational image)

In a first-of-its-kind decision in China, a woman who was raped by her boss during a business trip has had her ordeal officially recognised as an “industrial injury" by the authorities.

The landmark ruling has drawn widespread public attention and is being seen as a major step in acknowledging workplace-related trauma.

According to South China Morning Post report, the woman, 41-year-old Cui Lili, was a senior sales supervisor at Tianjin Deke Zhikong Company, a car parts manufacturer. The incident took place in September 2023, during a business trip to Hangzhou in eastern China with her manager, identified only as Wang.

She alleged that after attending a client dinner, her boss, who was intoxicated at the time, took her to his hotel room, and raped her. Cui later said she was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by a judicial medical authority. In April 2024, Wang was sentenced to four years in prison for his actions.

However, in the same month, Cui was dismissed from her job, with the company citing unauthorised absence. Following this, Cui filed a formal complaint and began legal proceedings against her former employer.

By the end of 2024, local human resources and social security officials officially recognised Cui’s health condition as a work-related injury — a first in China for a case of this nature.

Earlier this year, a local labour arbitration committee ruled that the company should pay her 1.13 million yuan (around US$160,000) in compensation. While the company did not challenge the ruling, it has so far paid her only 20,000 yuan (US$2,800).

Cui has now taken the matter to court to claim the full amount and has increased her demand to two million yuan (US$280,000). The case was heard on September 23 at the Jinnan District People’s Court in Tianjin. A verdict is still pending.

On the day of the hearing, Cui appeared in the same outfit she had worn during the work trip. “Last time, I wore it and was humiliated. This time, I wore it to fight for justice," she said.

She shared that she continues to receive medical support and struggles with sleep and anxiety. “often had nightmares, slept little after the incident, and relied on medicine and coffee to maintain myself. My life has been completely ruined."

News world In Landmark Ruling, China Rape Survivor's Ordeal Recognised As 'Industrial Injury'

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