Executive sexual assault scandal
The air in the conference room on the top floor of the Fuma Group building was so thick it was suffocating.
The "hot" tag on the trending topics list is like a red-hot branding iron, searing the faces of every executive—"Fuzhou Trade Group executive accused of sexual assault, company's indifferent handling." Three days have passed, and the public outcry continues to escalate, with the company's public email address and official Weibo account flooded with angry condemnations.
The entire incident unfolded like a standard social media storm. An account claiming to be that of a female employee of Fuqiang Technology, a subsidiary of the Fuma Group, posted a lengthy account detailing how she was drugged and sexually assaulted by her male boss during a business trip. She accused the company's HR and supervisor of ignoring her complaints and even implying that she "shouldn't make a scene."
Employees were forced to display banners in the cafeteria, and the incident was subsequently exposed on all social media platforms by malicious individuals. Public opinion was immediately in uproar. The company's female employees also expressed their indignation.
The male supervisor involved was not actually a senior executive of the company, but the executives in charge of the relevant business failed to identify the risk and handle it properly in a timely manner. Media reports flooded in, and social media was filled with condemnations of Fuqiang Technology and Li Fuqiang himself. Reporters crowded in front of the company building, and the stock price began to fall steadily without any surprise.
Although the story took a turn later—with video footage claiming the woman "actively approached" her male boss at the bar that night; followed by anonymous reports claiming "no physical relationship occurred"; and then several blurry CCTV screenshots seemingly showing discrepancies between the woman's account and her behavior in the hours that followed—explosive news always has a greater impact on dissemination than calm denials and analyses.
Although the executive who sparked the controversy resigned afterward due to mishandling the situation, Fuqiang Technology's reputation was already severely damaged.
"Now is not the time to dwell on the details!" The public relations director's forehead was beaded with sweat. "The key is to salvage our image! Women are the largest consumer group on our e-commerce platform. We must immediately rebuild Fumao's image of caring for women and convey the company's values..."
His gaze involuntarily drifted to the end of the long table.
Shen Zhiwei sat there, dressed in a finely crafted ivory-white suit. She seemed like someone from another world, completely out of place in the tense atmosphere of the conference room. Noticing the gazes, she looked up and calmly returned their look.
“Madam,” the PR director said, grasping at a straw, “you are the face of our company, Fumao. You possess an elegant demeanor and your own successful career. If you could step forward and speak out for women’s welfare within the company as an independent woman…”
Zhiwei smiled softly, a soft laugh that, like a pebble thrown into still water, stirred up ripples.
“Me?” She interrupted him, her tone carrying a perfectly timed self-deprecating tone. “Director, you want me, a ‘Mrs. Li’ whose position everyone knows I hold by virtue of, to tell women who may be experiencing injustice to be independent and self-reliant?”
She paused, her gaze sweeping over the men present, each with a different expression.
Li Fuqiang, who had been silent all along, spoke up, his voice filled with disapproval: "Xiao Wei, there's no need to be so self-deprecating. You've done a great job with 'Wei Nian,' everyone can see that."
Zhiwei looked at him, her eyes clear and cold, without a trace of resentment, only complete sobriety.
"What matters is not what I, Shen Zhiwei, am actually like, but how I am in the eyes of onlookers. I am clearly a caged bird, but I insist on creating the image of an independent and strong woman. This kind of forced 'feeding of shit' is likely to backfire."
Silence fell over the meeting room once again. Her words were like a cold scalpel, precisely dissecting the facade of peace and revealing the unbearable reality beneath.
The public relations director opened his mouth, but no sound came out. The head of human resources slumped back in his chair.
Just as the somber atmosphere was about to dissipate, Zhiwei spoke again, her voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"If it's not for public relations, but because I really want to do something concrete to care for women, I'm still very willing to do my part."
Like all sensational news stories, the heat of the sexual assault scandal gradually subsided, but a subtle atmosphere permeating the Fomao Group remained. At Zhiwei's suggestion, the Human Resources Department and the Public Relations Department jointly drafted a detailed "Fomao Group Women's Care Five-Year Plan," which was formally submitted to the Board of Directors for review.
The core of this plan lies in the commitment to allocate 1% of the group's annual profits over the next five years to establish a special fund to support women's development. This investment not only targets female employees within the company but also extends its reach to broader societal needs. After several rounds of discussions, the board of directors approved the plan and decided to establish a dedicated Women's Care Council, with Zhiwei serving as chairperson, responsible for project initiation, approval, and oversight.
Zhiwei didn't rush into action. She first launched an internal company-wide vote on the theme of "What women's issues are you most concerned about?" Female employees could vote or submit new issues they were interested in. Among the many options, the "Pink Sanitary Napkins" program, which aimed to "provide high-quality sanitary napkins for women in impoverished areas," received the most votes.
Just as the project was in the preparation stage, an unexpected person approached Zhiwei. Zhang Yue, the operations director of the e-commerce division, a capable 32-year-old woman, visited the studio in Yayuan directly.
"Madam, I hope to join the 'Pink Project' team," Zhang Yue said bluntly.
Zhiwei said in surprise, "Zhang Yue, I won't be involved in the company's business management. Aren't you afraid of wasting my talents by coming to work with me?"
Zhang Yue spoke candidly, "This is not only about speaking up for women, but also about trying to get noticed by higher-ups."
"I've worked at Fumao for six years, rising from entry-level operations to director. But you know how difficult it is for women to climb the corporate ladder in core business departments," Zhang Yue said with a determined look. "If this project goes well, it will demonstrate both my social responsibility and my business acumen. I'm willing to take the gamble."
Zhiwei appreciated this frankness. She gently put down the sample in her hand: "Okay, I'll give you this opportunity. You'll be in charge of the project team's daily operations, reporting directly to me."
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