Across the footpath, hiding in the shrubs, her fiancé secretly films the encounter while Li wears a microphone to capture the confrontation.

In 2009, when the abuse started, Li was 15 years old.

‘It took root in my heart’

“I feel miserable. I’d rather go to jail myself than have her cry.”

“I must dig out the root.”

Prolonged impact of trauma

He said Li still has nightmares and can wake up screaming during the night.

Ma Ke has supported Li in her journey to justice. He believes it’s important she has someone behind her, “encouraging her and guiding her through it”. Credit: Supplied

“She doubted whether it made sense to do this or whether she was right or wrong.

“Even worse, she thought it was her fault.”

“I want to try my best and consider everything that I might overlook, leaving no possibility of escape for the perpetrator [Tang].”

Reporting China’s sexual violence rates

Researchers found other countries with upward trends included North Korea and Taiwan – while sexual violence in most of the world continues to decline.

The woman at the centre of the case, Zhou Xioxuan told media at the time, “I’m disappointed but it’s also somewhat expected”.

The court said that a regular gathering she organised with labour activist Wang JiangBing “incited participants’ dissatisfaction with Chinese state power under the pretext of discussing social issues”, according to the Free Huang XueQuin & Wang JianBing group,

Guangzhou People’s Intermediate Court found #MeToo activist Huang Xueqin guilty of subversion. Source: Getty / South China Morning Post

Potential barriers to disclosing child sexual abuse have also been attributed to Chinese cultural values, which emphasise family loyalty, including to elders and attitudes around sexuality in China, according to the study by The University of Auckland and University of New South Wales.

Response from family members

“Stop blaming my mother. Her only fault was marrying your brother in the first place.”

But Chinese domestic violence legislation and rape laws have continued to face criticism. Currently, marital sexual assault and rape is not explicitly defined as a crime, which may make it difficult to prosecute.

Li has moved overseas with her partner, Ma Ke. She said they have established a new life in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Credit: Supplied

In hopes of distancing herself from her parents and her past, Li relocated to Ethiopia in East Africa.

“Having a house means breaking away from your parents. Working abroad, all the more so.”

‘I’ll never forgive them’

Readers seeking support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).