Significant progress made in combating school bullying in Beijing

Efforts to combat school bullying in Beijing have shown significant progress, with juvenile prosecutions for related offenses dropping by over 90 percent year-on-year in 2025, reaching their lowest level in three years, the capital's top procuratorate said.

This decline has been highlighted in a report released last week by the Beijing People's Procuratorate, which also details achievements in combating crimes against minors citywide.

The report reveals that a total of 364 adults were charged with crimes against minors in 2025, primarily involving offenses of molestation, rape, and insult. Sexual assault offenses against children accounted for nearly 70 percent of all prosecutions related to offenses against minors. Although this proportion remains high, there was a year-on-year decrease of 5.25 percent in its total number, underscoring the ongoing need for vigorous crackdowns in this area.

In addition to prosecuting adults who harm minors, prosecutors across the city have intensified support for victimized minors over the past year. According to the report, they distributed more than 860,000 yuan ($125,900) in aid and secured over 290,000 yuan in charitable funds for 174 children involved in cases and facing life difficulties.

The report also noted increased routine inspections by prosecutors of safety around schools and related venues, such as karaoke bars, clubs, and internet cafes, in a move to strengthen the protection of minors.

Furthermore, Beijing prosecutors have paid more attention to addressing minor issues and enhancing children's self-protection awareness through public interest litigation and legal training. Last year, the city's prosecutors filed 211 public interest cases involving children, up 18.5 percent year-on-year, and they also organized 404 legal activities in schools, helping over 120,000 students better understand law and safety knowledge.

Despite the progress, the report called for heightened attention and judicial measures to address juvenile crimes, following the prosecution of 133 minor suspects in 2025. It indicated that the number of offenders aged between 14 and 16 rebounded after two consecutive years of decline, reaching 16, which is six more than in 2024.