Warning Bell for Sexual Violence

Sexual violence at religious schools has shown a recent upward trend. Prevention and handling cases of sexual violence must be the government’s top priority.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — The commemoration of Human Rights Day 2021 was marked by a revelation of several cases of sexual violence at religious educational institutions. The Religious Affairs Ministry should therefore issue a regulation to prevent and handle cases related to sexual violence at religious schools.

One case involved HW (36), a leader and teacher at a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Bandung, West Java. The man reportedly abused dozens of female students aged 13-16 years in 2016-2021. Some of his victims became pregnant and had children. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

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On Friday (10/12/2021), the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), the Education and Teachers Association (P2G), and the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Ministry demanded the maximum sentence. The House of Representatives (DPR) was also urged to immediately pass the draft law on sexual violence.

“This is an extraordinary crime. The children should have been in a safe place, but the culprit was there. We ask for the maximum punishment, because many children have become victims," said KPAI vice chairwoman Rita Pranawati.

According to the ministry’s information, 13 children were victims of HW, of whom eight became pregnant and gave birth to nine children (one victim had twins) as a result of HW’s heinous acts.

The PPPA Ministry’s special deputy for child protection, Nahar, said that his office would closely monitor the legal process of the case in Bandung. According to the ministry’s information, 13 children were victims of HW, of whom eight became pregnant and gave birth to nine children (one victim had twins) as a result of HW’s heinous acts.

The ministry said that the perpetrator deserved the maximum punishment. The perpetrator also faced the additional punishment of castration in accordance with Article 81, Paragraph 7 of Regulation in Lieu Of Law (Perppu) No. 1/2016 on sexual violence against children, also known as Law No. 17/2016.

The P2G said that the perpetrator should be given a heavy punishment because as a teacher, HW should be a role model in building the character of his students.

"The maximum punishment is life imprisonment and chemical castration for the perpetrator," said Iman Zanatul Haeri, who heads the P2G’s Teacher Advocacy division.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Women activists who are members of the Women's Care Network hold a silent action in commemoration of International Women's Day on the street in front of the West Sumatra DPRD office, Padang, West Sumatra, Monday (8/3/2021).

KPAI commissioner Retno Listyarti called for psychological support and rehabilitation services for the victims because sexual violence generally left long-lasting trauma.

Cases at other schools

Sexual violence also occurred at a pesantren in Tasikmalaya, West Java. Three weeks ago, the Tasikmalaya Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAID) received a report that a teacher had

sexually abused nine female students at a pesantren. KPAID Tasikmalaya head Ato Rinanto said the victims were between 15 and 17 years old.

Meanwhile, in Cilacap regency, Central Java, police arrested MAYH (51), an elementary school teacher in Rawaapu village, Patimuan, for sexually abusing 15 schoolgirls. The teacher, who has civil servant status, targeted female students with top grades. "[The abuse] was carried out in the classroom," assistant commissioner Rifeld Constatien Baba, the head of the Cilacap Police criminal investigation unit, said on Friday (10/12).

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The child protection ministry hoped that the educational institutions and parents would take preventive measures prevent the occurrence of similar incidents. "We hope parents will also watch over their children at school," said Nahar.

Eni Gustina, the family planning and reproductive health deputy at the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), said introducing reproductive health education at schools could help prevent sexual violence against children.

Meanwhile, the P2G urged the Religious Affairs Ministry to issue an immediate regulation to prevent and address sexual violence at religious schools.

KOMPAS/YOLA SASTRA

Women activists who are members of the Women Care Network stand in the middle of the road in front of motorists at a red light during a silent action to commemorate International Women's Day on the road in front of the West Sumatra DPRD office, Padang, West Sumatra, Monday (8/3/2021).

"A Religious Affairs Ministry regulation is urgently needed, considering the high [incidence] of sexual violence at religious educational institutions," said P2G national coordinator Satriwan Salim. (SON/DKA/TAN)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)