Tianjin has recognized a sexual assault case in the workplace as a work injury, the first instance in the city, with the boss sentenced to four years in jail and has to compensate 1.11 million yuan to the victim.
The victim, surnamed Cui, was assaulted by her boss Wang in the hotel room during a business trip to Hangzhou.
After a client dinner on September 22, 2023, she became intoxicated and was allegedly carried into a hotel room by Wang, where she was sexually assaulted.
Cui woke up the next day naked beside Wang and realized she has been raped. When she confronted Wang, he denied the allegations and accused her of slander.
Cui reported the incident to the police, leading to a nearly two-year legal battle.
The police investigation revealed surveillance footage showing Cui in a drunken state being carried into the room. A neighboring guest testified that he heard her repeatedly saying "no".
The evidence confirmed Wang's wrongdoing, resulting in a four-year prison sentence for him.
Following the incident, Cui faced mental health issues and was suspended without pay, ultimately being fired less than a week after Wang's conviction.
Cui argued that the assault was work-related and applied for a work-related injury determination.
The Tianjin Jinnan District Human Resources and Social Security Bureau ruled in her favor, recognizing the sexual assault as a work-related injury.
The company was ordered to pay her 1.11 million yuan in compensation, marking a significant precedent in China.
