Bridesmaids molested by groom's 'brothers'

NINE bridesmaids were allegedly molested by male companions of the groom who were escorting him to the bride's residence.

This incident occurred in Xinhui, China, in February and the accounts of the victims were posted in an online forum.

The groom's friends, or 'brothers', broke into the bride's room without going through the Chinese customary rites of passing tests set upon them by the bridesmaids.

In Chinese customary weddings, it is tradition for the groom to be escorted by his male companions to 'win' the hand of his bride on the day of the wedding.

He will be stopped at her doorstep by the bridesmaids, or 'sisters', who will be guarding the door.

The sisters will ask for a red packet and the groom, with the help of his brothers, is required to pass all tests before they are allowed to receive the bride.

This is considered an auspicious custom and is practised in Singapore as well.

This shocking incident came to light when a detailed post was submitted on Jinringuanzhu.net, a popular Canton newscast online forum.

The post was written by six of the victims.

According to the victims, the brothers dismissed the traditions, broke into the house and went straight to the bride's room.

The terrified bridesmaids, while hearing them coming into the house, ran into the bathroom and locked the door.

One of them, who was too slow, was pinned to the floor by the brothers. They grabbed her breasts, as well as her private part.

They then broke into the bathroom and molested the girls inside, despite their pleas to ask them to stop.

One of the victims wrote that she screamed for help, but no one came to their rescue.

"The bride and groom, as well as other people were standing around and watching us being molested," wrote the victim.

The posts also reveal that other people, mostly her family, relatives and friends, were at the bride's place, and had witnessed the incident but did nothing to help.

Instead, they continued with the wedding ceremony afterwards, as if nothing happened.

One of the victims wrote: "The bridesmaid's relatives saw us crying and attempted to comfort us by saying, 'It's over now, it's ok'. I felt terrified."

Another victim said that while they were being molested, she heard one of the brother's talking on the phone and telling the other party that he was "there to squeeze breasts".

This daring outrage of modesty is seemingly becoming a common practice in various parts of China, according to some netizens.

One of the netizens who read the article commented that such "practice" has been popular for some time, hence few are willing to be bridesmaids.

Another wrote that she had encountered the same incident in 2009 when attending her cousin's wedding.

"We had around 20 girls in the sister's troop. Those guys came especially to molest us. My cousin's sister is the victim. How awful!" she wrote.

The bridesmaids have lodged a report with the local police and are awaiting further investigation.

According to the victims, the newlyweds told them it was none of their business and even offered to pay them a few hundred yuan to settle the issue out of court.

The bridesmaids rejected the offer and protested angrily: "They treat us as prostitutes!"

The victims are currently appealing to the residents of Xinhui for help.

Source: Asiaone