Universitas Brawijaya Confirms Novia Widyasari Has Been Harassed By Campus Seniors

Brawijaya University press conference (Instagram/@universitasbrawijaya)

JAKARTA - Universitas Brawijaya gave an explanation regarding the circulation of information about sexual harassment in the campus environment against Novia Widyasari. Novia is a woman who died beside her father's grave, Mojokerto, East Java on December 2, 2021.

At Universitas Brawijaya, Novia is listed as a student of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Brawijaya (FIB UB) batch 2016. And the campus confirmed that Novia had experienced sexual harassment by her older sister.

The Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Prof. Dr. Agus Suman said that at the beginning of January 2020 Novia reported harassment to him by his senior brother with the initials NWR to FCS UB functionaries."

FIB UI assisted the Ethics Commission to follow up on the report. After the examination, RAW was proven guilty and was given a sanction by Universitas Brawijaya. Meanwhile, Novia is given assistance in the form of counseling," said Prof. Agus Suman in a press conference at the Rectorate Building of Universitas Brawijaya. Sunday, December 5, 2021.

On the same occasion, the Expert Staff of the Vice Chancellor III of Brawijaya University, Arif Zainudin, explained that the harassment case experienced by Novia occurred in 2017 not recently, as information is widely spread.

"Physical and verbal harassment occurred in 2017 not in 2020 or 2021 as is spread on social media. Then the victim reported three years later, in 2020. Education has been carried out and sanctions have been imposed," said Arif Zainudin

The University of Brawijaya explained that the case of sexual harassment against Novia was raised again after the viral suicide case of her student. "So actually what happened at Brawijaya University has been completed, the processes have been carried out. But because this victim died, then someone related old problems that occurred at Brawijaya University," said Prof. Agus Suman.

He also denied that he ignored or did not take action on Novia's report. "Never have we allowed or suggested that it be resolved amicably, that's not true. The handling of the case has been completely completed," he added.

Meanwhile, on another occasion, the Central Board of the Universitas Brawijaya Alumni Association gave a statement of position on the case of Novia Widyasari. IKA UB formed a mentoring team to encourage a fair legal process and asked the Police to handle cases quickly and transparently.