Alleged sexual assault incident at Peking University draws online debate, police investigation underway

Peking University is looking into a case of alleged sexual misconduct by a postgraduate supervisor after one of his students claimed that he had sexually assaulted her.

The university's School of Pharmaceutical Sciences convened a special investigation team to look into the student's complaint and a preliminary investigation has already been completed, according to a statement issued by the Faculty Ethics and Discipline Office of the Peking University Health Science Center on Monday.

In an anonymous post to the university's online forum on Sunday, the student said that on her birthday, her supervisor, surnamed Hong, dragged her into his office, held her down, and kissed and groped her.

The student said that she managed to escape after he let his guard down and that she has felt shame and misery since the incident.

She said that she transferred to Hong's team last May and that he has often called her late at night, asking her about her private life, and forcing her to go hiking with him alone. The student also accused Hong of frequent groping during one-on-one sessions.

The university said the teacher has called the police and will cooperate with their investigation into the incident.

The assault triggered heated discussion on social media platforms, with different hashtags trending on Sina Weibo on Monday. Netizens have called for a swift investigation into the incident.