Hidden Reality: Chinese Youth Correction Centers Under Fire for Alleged Abuse During Live-Stream Sessions

Investigations reveal that teenagers in quasi-military training facilities face physical and sexual abuse, sparking demands for stricter institutional oversight.

Chinese state media has exposed troubling conditions at youth correction centers across the country, where minors presented a carefully curated image during televised sessions but reportedly endured mistreatment behind closed doors. The facilities, which market themselves as behavioral rehabilitation programs, are now facing scrutiny over allegations of physical and sexual assault.

Target Population and Services

These quasi-military institutions primarily admit teenagers characterized as rebellious, academically disengaged, video game dependent, or struggling with mental health issues such as depression. Operating on a monthly fee structure ranging from 8,000 to 20,000 yuan (approximately US$1,200 to US$3,000), the centers promise to reform student behavior through military-style training regimens.

Methods Under Investigation

According to reporting by Ban Yue Tan, a publication affiliated with the Communist Party apparatus, numerous camps employ corporal punishment while framing such practices as components of "gratitude education" or "military education" programs. The discrepancy between public-facing content shown during live-streaming events and actual treatment conditions has prompted calls from observers and officials for enhanced regulatory mechanisms and independent monitoring of such facilities.

The investigation was reported on April 23, 2026.