Police Reveal Alleged Sexual Harassment of Seven Students in Surabaya
SURABAYA - The Surabaya Police revealed a case of alleged sexual harassment against seven male students allegedly committed by a teacher of the prayer who has the initials MZ (22) at a religious education foundation in the Jalan Genteng Kali area, Surabaya.
Head of the Surabaya Police, Kombes Pol Luthfie Sulistiawan, said the victims were aged between 10 and 15 years old and were allegedly subjected to indecent acts committed by the suspect between 2025 and April 2026.
"There are seven male students with ages ranging from 10 to 15 years old," said Luthfie when met by reporters at the Surabaya Police Headquarters, East Java, Friday.
He explained that the disclosure of the case began with a report from one of the victims to the authorities, which was then followed by the testimony of another victim who admitted to experiencing a similar incident.
According to him, the victims were students who attended regular learning activities and stayed at the foundation's location every weekend.
"These children do not stay full-time at the location, they only stay every Friday night until Sunday to study," he said.
Luthfie said the suspect allegedly took advantage of the evening situation when the victims were resting to carry out the action by entering the sanatorium room.
In fact, he said, according to the confession of some of the victims, they knew about the incident experienced by their colleagues, but did not dare to report it because of fear.
"Some know, but choose to be silent because they are afraid," he said.
His party arrested the suspect on Saturday (16/5) in the Jalan Genteng Kali area, a day after receiving a police report with the number LP/B/800/IV/2026/SPKT/POLRESTABES SURABAYA dated April 15, 2026.
Based on the examination, said Luthfie, the suspect who has the status of a student and a teacher of the Koran admitted his actions.
His party also seized a number of evidence in the form of the victim's clothes.
"His confession, the perpetrator did it to satisfy his lust," he said.
Furthermore, he added, his party has coordinated with the Department of Empowerment of Women and Child Protection (DP3A) to provide psychological assistance to the victims.
"We are doing trauma healing so that these children can recover psychologically immediately and not experience prolonged trauma," he said.
For his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 6 letter C in conjunction with Article 15 letter G of Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes and/or Article 415 letter B of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.