Ensure the Non-Recurrence of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions
Responding to Cases of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions
“Ensure the Non-Recurrence of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions”
Jakarta, April 24, 2025
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims of traumatic events at higher education institutions across a number of regions in Indonesia. Educational spaces, which should be safe spaces for all, have instead become sites of sexual violence. Cases of sexual violence at universities are on the rise. This is evident in the complaints received by Komnas Perempuan throughout 2024, which recorded 4,178 cases of violence against women. Meanwhile, 82 cases of sexual violence at universities were reported to Komnas Perempuan between 2021 and 2024.
The enactment of Law No. 12 of 2022 on Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence guarantees victims of the state’s responsibility for prevention, protection, treatment, and recovery. Mandates the implementation of regulations for application at the ministerial level. Komnas Perempuan welcomed the issuance of the Regulation of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Regulation of the Minister of Religious Affairs, which stipulate the existence of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions/Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence (PPKPT/TPKS).
According to Devi Rahayu, Head of the Education Subcommission of Komnas Perempuan, the establishment of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions is a strategic step in responding to the Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence Law as well as preventing and tackling sexual violence on campus. The rise in sexual violence cases on campus is only the tip of the iceberg, appearing numerous on the surface while far more cases occur underneath. Furthermore, Devi also stated that the rise in cases can be interpreted in two ways, as an indicator of increased awareness among victims to report due to the presence of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions on campus, but also as ironic since it occurs in a public space that upholds ethics and morals.
Both continue to emphasize the urgent need to evaluate and strengthen protection mechanisms within higher education institutions. Devi highlighted that there were 1,724 Task Forces for the Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence in 2024. Komnas Perempuan also conducted a survey on the role of the Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence Task Forces and the support they receive from leadership. Data showed that 53% of leaders supported prevention and case management efforts and 23% complained about minimal support.
The support and commitment of university leaders to the complaints and performance of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions/Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence are crucial factors in the effective handling of sexual violence cases. However, in terms of implementation, the appointment of task force members by the rector or university leadership has the potential to create conflicts of interest and strengthen power relations, particularly if the perpetrator of the violence is an official or part of the university's leadership. This situation opens up opportunities for abuse of authority and impunity.
“There is a culture of unequal power relations on campus, such as the assumption that lecturers, especially university leaders, are never wrong. This is a contributing factor to violence. This culture exacerbates the situation for victims, who often do not receive adequate protection or justice,” added Daden Sukendar, Commissioner of Komnas Perempuan. This is one factor that causes victims to choose to remain silent, not speak out, not report their cases or even hide them. This culture exacerbates the situation for victims, who often do not receive adequate protection or justice.
Therefore, Komnas Perempuan recommends several strategic steps to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs as follows:
- Ensure a safe space for fulfilling the right to education by higher education institutions and implement the principles of prevention, handling, protection, and recovery for victims.
- Promote the implementation of Violence-Free Zones (KBK) throughout higher education institutions.
- Ensure that higher education leaders guarantee the autonomy and independence of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions/Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence as well as, in accordance with their authority, provide space for sexual violence cases to be handled and sanctions to be imposed.
- Ensure that law enforcement officers handling sexual violence cases follow up on victims’ reports and enforce legal sanctions against perpetrators.
- Evaluate the implementation of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions/Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Komnas Perempuan reiterates that universities must be safe, just, and equal spaces for all academic communities. The implementation of Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Institutions policies must be based on the principles of a victim-centered perspective comprehensive recovery, and substantive justice.
Based on these considerations, Komnas Perempuan hopes that cases of sexual violence occurring at all levels of education will receive more serious attention from all stakeholders. Firm sanctions on campus are needed, as well as responsiveness from law enforcement officers when handling cases of sexual violence in the criminal sphere.
Contact Person: Elsa Faturahmah (081389371400)
