Indonesia Halts New Admissions at Pati Pesantren Amidst Sexual Violence Allegations

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has taken decisive action by temporarily suspending new student admissions at Pesantren Ndolo Kusumo in Pati, Central Java. This stern measure follows serious allegations of sexual violence involving a pesantren caregiver, underscoring the ministry's zero-tolerance policy towards such abhorrent acts within religious educational institutions.

Director of Pesantren, Basnang Said, emphasized that the ministry demands a complete legal process for the accused. The decision to halt admissions is a direct consequence of the case advancing to the investigation stage. This ensures that the legal proceedings can occur without interference and that the safety and well-being of students remain paramount.

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We demand that the alleged perpetrator of sexual violence at Ndolo Kusumo pesantren be processed legally. We do not tolerate any act of sexual violence, especially in religious educational institutions.

Tempo reports that the ministry's directive extends beyond halting admissions. It also recommends the suspension of the accused caregiver and insists on the appointment of a new caregiver with proven integrity and capacity. Furthermore, the pesantren must demonstrate that its child protection systems and overall governance meet established standards before reopening admissions. This comprehensive approach reflects a commitment to not only address the immediate crisis but also to implement systemic reforms, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all students in Indonesia's pesantren system.

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With 50 student victims, predominantly orphans, this indicates a systemic failure of child protection in the religious education environment.