15 Elementary School Students In Yogyakarta Become Victims Of Teacher Sexual Harassment, Police Begin To Intervene

Illustration of sexual violence in children (ANTARA)

Yogyakarta City Police are currently investigating allegations of sexual harassment cases involving a private elementary school (SD) teacher in Yogyakarta City for 15 of their students. Head of Public Relations of the Yogyakarta Police, AKP Timbul Sasana Raharja stated that his party had received an official report from the school with legal counsel for the victim's parents. "We will investigate the story of this incident further, understand the chronology of the case, and determine whether this will be considered a criminal offense or not," he said, Monday, January 8, quoted by ANTARA. Timbul added that this reporting process has involved the consultation stage and the case will be followed up by the Women and Children Service Unit (PPA Unit) of the Yogyakarta Police.

"We will provide further information regarding the next steps," he said. Meanwhile, the attorney from the reporting party, Elna Febi Astuti, who was accompanied by the principal and the parents of one of the victims, explained that the incident of sexual harassment occurred in 15 elementary school students, both men and women, from August to October 2023. The alleged perpetrator is a teacher of a content creator at the local elementary school with the initials NB (22) having been disabled since November 2023 after teaching for about a year. "Involvement in this realm of law is quite complex, with severe dynamics, giving a significant psychological impact on the principal who struggles to uncover this case. He diligently ensures that this case is reported," he said. Elna added that the 11-12-year-old child first dared to tell other teachers, who then informed the principal for further action. Based on the student's confession, the perpetrator is suspected of committing harassment by holding a student's genitals, attaching a knife to his neck, inviting him to watch adult film scenes, to provide teaching on how to open booking out (BO) through certain applications.

"This perpetrator faces charges of violating the Child Protection Act and sexual abuse cases. We have reported the alleged perpetrator by bringing evidence in the form of children's handwriting and their statements, and later it will be equipped with a psychiatric post-mortem," explained Elna. This incident not only has an impact on children's psychology, but also on teachers, including school principals who have children as victims in the case.