Campuses and Islamic Boarding Schools Report the Highest Number of Sexual Violence Cases

Reports of sexual violence in educational settings submitted to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) show that universities and Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) receive the most complaints. A total of 14 reports originated from universities between 2015 and August 2020.

In addition to universities, Islamic boarding schools or religion-based education institutions also received numerous sexual violence reports, totaling 10 cases up to August 2020. Furthermore, 8 cases originated from senior high schools (SMA/SMK) and 4 from junior high schools (SMP). Meanwhile, sexual violence in kindergartens (TK), elementary schools (SD), special needs schools (SLB), Christian-based education, and vocational schools each recorded 2 cases.

The reported sexual assault cases represent only the tip of the iceberg. Many cases of sexual violence in educational settings go unreported. However, the number of reports indicates that the national education system needs to seriously prevent and address violence against women as part of eliminating discrimination against women.

For information, the government is currently striving to provide protection against sexual violence through Ministerial Regulation of Education and Culture Number 31 of 2021. However, this regulation remains controversial as it is considered to potentially legalize free sex.