Indonesian campuses not safe havens amid rising sexual misconduct scandals

Campuses in Indonesia are grappling with a series of scandals revealing a disturbing prevalence of sexual harassment and misconduct among students. Recent weeks have seen multiple state universities hit by revelations that have shaken the academic community.

Incidents have ranged from students being suspended for making degrading comments about women in chat groups to older cases of sexual harassment resurfacing. In one instance at an agricultural university, students were suspended for harassment in private groups that had been ongoing for two years before a victim finally reported it. The article highlights the immense psychological burden on victims who endure such abuse for extended periods before finding the courage to speak out.

These events are not isolated incidents but point to a systemic issue. Data from Komnas Perempuan (the National Commission on Violence Against Women) indicates that out of 661 surveyed campuses, 1,133 cases of sexual violence were recorded, with 94% of victims being women. Alarmingly, 80% of victims choose to remain silent, suggesting the reported numbers represent only a fraction of the actual occurrences. The Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection has also noted that 27% of all sexual violence cases occur in higher education institutions.

The article addresses the common, often accusatory, question of "Why report now?" It explains that delayed disclosure, or "delayed disclosure," is a well-documented psychological response to trauma. Victims often need time to gather courage, find a sense of safety, and believe they will be heard and believed. The prolonged silence is not an indicator that nothing happened, but rather a testament to the profound difficulty of confronting such experiences and seeking justice.