Welcoming Nadiem Makarim At Unpad, This Student Unfurls A Poster That Reads 'I Am A Victim Of Sexual Violence'

A student shows a poster related to sexual violence at Padjadjaran University, Bandung City, West Java (ANTARA PHOTO)

BANDUNG - The visit of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Menristekdikti), Nadiem Makarim, to Padjadjaran University (Unpad), Bandung City, West Java, was marked by the actions of female students suspected of being victims of sexual violence.

The student, who wears a white shirt with a mask, holds a poster with the words 'I am a victim of sexual violence on campus, a 19-year-old student.' This student was seen flanked by several of his colleagues.

Chairman of the Unpad Student Family Student Executive Board (BEM KEMA), Virdian Aurellio Hartono, said the action was an encouragement to the government, especially the Menristekdikti to implement the Merdeka Campus program with protection from the threat of sexual violence in the university environment.

"This issue was actually taboo at first, but this issue has been raised over time because we stand for the victims, we believe one voice of truth will spread", he said in Bandung as quoted by Antara, Monday, January 17.

Virdian who represented the victims said the phenomenon of sexual violence in the university environment was like an iceberg. The more the case is investigated, the more will appear.

The action represented the aspirations of Padjadjaran University students and students who stood up to reject sexual violence.

"Because there are also many friends outside the Unpad campus who in the end just ignore it, various students are ignored", said Virdian.

"This Minister (Nadiem Makarim) needs to step in and say (campus) that do not implement (sexual violence protection) will be sanctioned", added Virdian Aurellio Hartono.

Meanwhile, Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education, Nadiem Makarim, said that sexual violence is one of the three sins of the education system in Indonesia. Nadiem ensured that his party was very attentive to dealing with these irregularities.

"Three sins are intolerance, sexual violence, and bullying, now we have seen that we are serious about this sexual violence in college", he said.

According to him, the government is in a clear and firm position against the three violations in the education environment. The reason is, he did not deny that the three sins of education are not uncommon in the educational environment.

"And we must eradicate it, we must not lie to ourselves, we have entrenched the data and statistics", said the Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education.