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Komnas Perempuan Condemns Sexual Harassment at UI Law Faculty, Cites Digital Lawlessness

From Tempo · (1d ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) condemned alleged electronic-based sexual harassment at the University of Indonesia's Faculty of Law.
  • The incident reportedly involved 16 male students as perpetrators and female students and lecturers as victims.
  • Komnas Perempuan emphasized that digital spaces are not law-free and that such acts fall under the Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (KSBE) category under Indonesian law.

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has strongly condemned the alleged electronic-based sexual harassment that has surfaced within the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia. This incident, reportedly involving a significant number of male students as perpetrators against female students and even lecturers, has sent shockwaves through the academic community and beyond.

Komnas Perempuan's firm stance is that the digital realm is not a lawless territory. They have clearly stated that such actions constitute Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (KSBE), also known as Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV), which is explicitly addressed under Indonesia's Law Number 12 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (UU TPKS). This legal framework underscores the seriousness of the offense and the need for accountability, regardless of the medium through which it occurs.

Ruang digital bukan ruang bebas hukum

— Devi RahayuCommissioner of Komnas Perempuan, emphasizing that digital spaces are subject to legal regulations and not exempt from consequences.

The commission has rightly pointed out that universities should be sanctuaries of safety and equality, not breeding grounds for violence and gender disparity. The long-term psychological trauma that victims can endure highlights the profound impact of such incidents. Komnas Perempuan's call for a transparent, accountable, and just investigation by the University of Indonesia, with a victim-centered approach, is crucial. They also stress that internal campus mechanisms are insufficient and that legal processes must remain an option for victims, aligning with the Ministry of Education's regulations on preventing and handling violence in higher education.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive nature of gender-based violence, not just in physical spaces but increasingly in the digital sphere. Komnas Perempuan's data indicates a troubling trend, with a high number of reported cases of gender-based violence against women in 2025, sexual violence being the most dominant form. Their advocacy for robust institutional responses and the protection of victims is paramount in ensuring that educational institutions uphold their responsibility to provide a secure and equitable environment for all.

Pendekatan yang berpusat pada korban harus menjadi prinsip utama

— Sondang Friskha SimanjuntakAnother Komnas Perempuan commissioner, stressing the importance of a victim-centered approach in handling such cases.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.