Menpora Responds to Kickboxing Athletes Being Victims of Sexual Harassment

JAKARTA - The Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora), Erick Thohir, responded to the case of alleged sexual harassment experienced by a female kickboxing athlete from East Java with the initials VAP who is 24 years old.

Erick said that the Government reaffirmed its commitment to protect athletes and ensure that the sports world is a safe space from all forms of violence.

"The story of the kickboxing athlete about the sexual violence he experienced really hurt us all. I feel the pain when reading the process and the victim's struggle to get justice by reporting the act of harassment to various parties," said Erick.

The case came to light after VAP revealed his bitter experience through social media. He admitted that he had chosen to remain silent because the alleged perpetrator was an influential figure in the sports organization, while he was only an athlete.

Currently, the case has been handled by the East Java Police, which has named the alleged perpetrator with the initials WPC as a suspect.

Erick said that cases of sexual violence involving coaches showed abuse of power relationships in the sports environment. He emphasized that the sports world must uphold human values and become a safe place for athletes to train and compete.

"I appreciate the victim's courage to tell the story, it is certainly not easy to overcome the bitter trauma, but the victim dared to speak out so that similar actions do not happen again," he said.

Erick hopes that the legal process that is underway can provide justice for the victims. He also emphasized that no party should use their position or position in the sports organization to take actions that harm athletes.

"The world of sports must be a safe, dignified space, and uphold human values. I hope that by designating the alleged perpetrator as a suspect, justice for the victim can be upheld," he said.

Cases of sexual harassment and physical violence have also been experienced by several rock climbers. The alleged perpetrator is also a coach who has currently been disabled by the Indonesian Rock Climbing Federation (FPTI).