Puan Highlights Handling Cases Of Sexual Violence On Campuses That Are Still Weak

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JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted that there are still many cases of sexual violence in educational circles, including universities. He also asked the campus to increase awareness, especially when handling cases of sexual violence under their own roof.

The campus should be a place that supports academic freedom and provides a sense of security for all students, without exception. This sense of security includes ensuring that the university environment is free from all forms of violence, both physically, mentally, and sexually violent," said Puan, Friday (13/9/2024).

A survey conducted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Kemendikbud, Research and Technology) stated that the most sexual violence occurred in universities. Based on the Ministry of Education and Culture survey records as of July 2023, there were 65 cases of sexual violence in universities.

Meanwhile, during the 2015-2021 period, Komnas Perempuan received 67 reports of cases of sexual violence in the educational environment. Of all these reports, the majority or 35% came from campuses or colleges.

In fact, according to the Ministry of Education and Culture, Research and Technology, the data on violence displayed from both the mass media and survey institutions have been categorized as dangerous. Puan also highlighted the importance of university commitments to seriously deal with cases of sexual violence that occurred.

"The number of cases of violence that have occurred so far shows the lack of awareness and mechanism for handling sexual violence in universities," he said.

Recently, cases of alleged sexual violence at a campus in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY) have become a public concern. Based on information, a total of 17 female students and alumni are suspected of being victims of sexual harassment by the campus lecturer.

The thing that is in the spotlight is that the campus has not taken any concrete action in resolving the case. In fact, due to the harassment by the lecturers, there were students who were traumatized and stopped studying.

"We deeply regret that the campus has neglected cases of sexual violence. As superior human resource printers, universities should be committed to showing their integrity and credibility towards things that are against the law, morals, and ethics," said Puan.

Apart from Yogyakarta, the omission of cases of alleged sexual violence also occurred at a university in Gorontalo some time ago. Because until now, there has been no continuation of the handling of the case. The perpetrator is suspected to be a campus official where at least a dozen women consist of campus staff, lecturers, and female students become victims.

Puan said the sexual violence that occurred in the academic space showed that the protection system was not yet effective enough in preventing or responding to cases of gender-based violence considering that the majority of victims of sexual violence were women.

"This is part of a series of sexual violence problems faced by women in various public spaces, including in academic circles," said the first woman to serve as Chair of the DPR RI.

According to Puan, the Government, educational institutions, and the community must work together in creating policies that protect women and guarantee campuses as a safe and fair space for all students.

"The low handling of cases of sexual violence on campus also shows policies that are not pro-female," said Puan.

"In the midst of the progress of the times, the educational environment should be at the forefront as a party that supports the protection and empowerment of women," he continued.

Puan also highlighted the verdict against a former lecturer in Bandar Lampung who was proven to have raped or sexually assaulted his student. The perpetrator was sentenced to 8.5 years in prison for his actions and obliged to pay a fine and restitution for his actions.

There are still many cases of sexual violence in universities considered as how complex and rooted the problem of gender inequality in an academic environment. According to Puan, cases of sexual violence not only show individual failure, but also reflect structural problems that strengthen women's vulnerability in public spaces.

"Including on campuses that should be a safe and inclusive place," he said.

Puan reminded that Indonesia currently has many legal regulations to protect the public from acts of sexual violence. Such as Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS) which is an initiative of the DPR.

In relation to the campus environment, the Ministry of Education and Culture Research and Technology has also issued Ministerial Regulation Number 30 of 2021 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS) in Higher Education. For this reason, Puan encouraged the campus not to hesitate to act decisively against cases of sexual violence.

The TPKS Law also guarantees protection for victims. Because on average cases of sexual violence in educational circles are related to power relations. This is what we must break with firm action," said the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan also mentioned the unequal power relationship between lecturers and students, as well as superiors to subordinates in a hierarchical academic context creating potential abuse of power. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of gender equality to be a priority in every policy, including in the educational environment.

"Women should no longer be victims of systems that do not protect them," said Puan.

In cases of power relations like this, students are often trapped in difficult positions when they become victims of sexual violence for fear of academic consequences or social sanctions if they report the violence they experienced.

This fear is exacerbated by the stigma and stereotypes that are still inherent in society where women who dare to express sexual harassment are often blamed or doubt their testimony. In many cases, the victim chooses to remain silent because of the inability to fight out an unbalanced power relationship.

Puan emphasized that the TPKS Law ensures that victims will receive comprehensive protection and ensure reports of cases of sexual violence must be followed up.

"So victims of sexual violence do not need to be afraid to speak up. Especially now that many institutions are ready to provide assistance to victims. The community also plays a role in guarding cases of sexual violence," he said.

To universities, Puan again reminded to play her role that not only functions as an educational institution, but also as a moral and ethical guard who ensures that every individual, especially female, is protected from all forms of violence. According to her, educational institutions have a big responsibility to strengthen women's protection policies in the campus environment.

"The system for handling cases of sexual violence must be improved to make it more inclusive, by involving the participation of students, lecturers, and women's human rights activists. This policy must ensure victim access to justice, without any additional threats or stigma," concluded Puan.