Vice President Orders Strict Legal Process for Perpetrators of Sexual Violence 50 Ponpes Santriwati in Pati

JAKARTA - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka strongly condemned the alleged sexual violence against 50 female students at a pesantren in Pati Regency and ensured that the legal process for sexual violence was transparent and just.

"I strongly condemn the incident of harassment against female students that occurred in Pati. This action cannot be tolerated. Legal proceedings will be carried out firmly, transparently, and fairly," said Vice President Gibran as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, May 5.

The Vice President ensured that the government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto had placed the issue of child protection as a priority.

One of the focuses is to make the school and boarding school environment a safe and comfortable place for children.

Regarding the case that occurred in Pati, Central Java, Gibran said he had asked for psychological assistance and trauma healing to continue to be provided intensively to the victims.

"In the future, supervision and protection of students will be strengthened to prevent similar incidents from happening again," said Gibran.

Previously, there was an alleged sexual abuse of at least 50 female students by the caretaker of the Ndholo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School, Tlogosari Village, Tlogowungu District, Pati Regency.

The victims are generally still sitting in the seventh to ninth grade of SMP. Some of the victims are orphans or come from poor families who depend on free education at the pesantren.

The Pati Police have named the kindergarten teacher with the initials AS as a suspect. Although he has the status of a suspect, AS has not been detained until now.