A prominent Indonesian lawmaker, MY Esti Wijayanti, Deputy Chairperson of Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), is urging a criminal investigation into the alleged sexual harassment involving 16 students from the University of Indonesia’s (UI) Faculty of Law. Emphasizing Indonesia’s comprehensive Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS), Wijayanti asserts that the serious allegations warrant immediate and robust legal action.
Wijayanti stressed the critical need to thoroughly examine the criminal elements present in the case to ensure justice for the victims and to establish a strong deterrent against future offenses. She pointed out the irony that the alleged perpetrators are law students, who should inherently possess a deeper understanding and sensitivity towards legal consequences. According to Wijayanti, the actions described align with categories of sexual violence outlined in the UU TPKS, making a criminal inquiry imperative.
Specifically, the UU TPKS identifies electronic-based violence as a form of sexual offense, carrying potential penalties of 4 to 6 years imprisonment and/or fines ranging from Rp 200 million to Rp 300 million. Given these clear legal provisions, Wijayanti actively encouraged the victims to formally report the incident to law enforcement authorities, thereby facilitating a comprehensive criminal investigation. She expressed hope that the strict enforcement of sanctions under the UU TPKS would serve as a powerful message, preventing such occurrences from being repeated, particularly within academic settings.
The PDIP politician further underscored the fundamental principle that university campuses must operate as safe havens, free from all forms of violence, including verbal and digital abuse, which can inflict profound harm on individuals. Wijayanti highlighted that alleged digital sexual harassment, even within the confines of a university campus, represents a grave issue with direct consequences for victims’ mental health and the overall psychosocial well-being of the academic community. Such incidents, she warned, can lead to prolonged trauma, significantly impacting the victims’ lives.
Wijayanti firmly rejected the notion that conversations involving objectification and verbal aggression are merely ethical violations. Instead, she asserted that these incidents are capable of instilling a pervasive sense of insecurity and sustained psychological distress, disproportionately affecting women. The legislator, representing the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) constituency, reiterated her stance that educational environments ought to embody mental wellness and safety above all else. She also urged the University of Indonesia to handle this case with the utmost consideration for the victims’ needs, emphasizing that verbal harassment should never be trivialized.
She stressed that every manifestation of violence, including that which transpires in digital spaces, demands firm and victim-centric handling. Wijayanti explicitly stated, “This is not merely a joke in a group chat. This is a form of sexual harassment that damages mental health and cannot be tolerated within an educational environment.” While commending UI’s initiative to launch an investigation through its Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS), she strongly advised that the process maintain victim confidentiality throughout.
Furthermore, Wijayanti emphasized that the handling of the case must be conducted fairly and include essential support for the victims. This crucial support encompasses psychological, legal, and academic assistance, designed to help trauma-stricken victims recover swiftly. Looking beyond immediate response, she also underscored the paramount importance of bolstering sexual violence prevention mechanisms across all educational institutions.
According to Wijayanti, the most vital aspect is not how campuses react after an incident occurs, but rather how effectively they implement preventive measures beforehand. She strongly advocated for universities to significantly increase educational content, including seminars and training sessions, focused on sexual violence prevention for all members of the academic community. She further revealed that the strengthening of regulations related to sexual violence prevention in educational settings would be a key topic of discussion within the ongoing revision of the National Education System Law (RUU Sisdiknas) in DPR Commission X.
In a broader context for higher education institutions, Wijayanti highlighted the imperative for Satgas PPKS units at all campuses to actively conduct outreach and socialization regarding the UU TPKS. This proactive approach is crucial for facilitating preventive actions and minimizing all forms of sexual violence. She unequivocally declared that educational environments must never normalize sexual violence in any form, especially in light of similar allegations emerging at other campuses following the UI Law Faculty incident.
“Do not normalize harassment or sexual violence, in any form. Educational environments must have zero tolerance for every act of sexual violence,” Wijayanti asserted with conviction. On a separate but related note, she also pressed the University of Indonesia to impose severe penalties on the perpetrators should their involvement be conclusively proven. “We deeply regret and condemn the sexual harassment incident that occurred at the Faculty of Law (FH) UI. We urge the campus authorities to impose firm sanctions on those responsible,” she stated.
The public had previously been stirred by the widespread circulation of screenshots depicting lewd conversations, allegedly involving students from the UI Faculty of Law. Reports indicated that the alleged perpetrators utilized a group chat to exchange harassing messages, targeting both female students and lecturers. In response, 16 individuals suspected of involvement were convened at a forum held at the UI Law Faculty Auditorium on Monday evening, April 13. This forum was organized to provide an opportunity for victims to receive direct apologies from the alleged perpetrators.
Summary
MY Esti Wijayanti, Deputy Chairperson of Commission X of the