11 Female Alumni in Kutai Kartanegara Allegedly Abused by Islamic Boarding School Leader

Allegations of sexual violence have tarnished a religious educational institution in East Kalimantan. Eleven female alumni of an Islamic boarding school (ponpes) in the Tenggarong Seberang area, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, have confessed to being victims of sexual abuse perpetrated by the head of the boarding school over a period of years. The head of the East Kalimantan Women and Children Protection Rapid Response Team (TRC PPA), Rina Zainun, revealed that the case came to light after the victims mustered the courage to report it to TRC PPA Kaltim. Based on the assessment and assistance conducted on Wednesday (3/6), it was found that the victims endured traumatic acts ranging from molestation to sexual intercourse. “The incidents were experienced by the victims over many years while they were studying at the boarding school. All victims provided statements with the same pattern,” Rina told Media Indonesia on Friday (5/6). Rina assessed that there are strong indications of the reported individual exploiting power relations. As the leader of the boarding school, the accused was seen as a figure to be respected and obeyed, placing the victims in a vulnerable position where resistance was difficult. Beyond the power dynamic, the perpetrator allegedly used religion as a guise to convince the female students. “The reported individual often used religiously nuanced explanations to convince the students to follow the instructions given. This initially made the victims fully trust their teacher and leader,” she explained. One victim even admitted to having known the reported individual since 2012. The closeness built slowly during their education and service period within the boarding school environment made interactions with the accused highly intense. The courage of these alumni emerged after they realised that similar treatment had also befallen their younger juniors. Fearing the number of victims would continue to grow, they ultimately decided to speak out. As a result of prolonged trauma, the victims have now been diagnosed with Anxiety Disorder. Their mental health condition has been disrupted, marked by excessive fear and worry, necessitating regular medication and intensive psychological assistance. TRC PPA Kaltim affirmed it will continue to oversee the case until its conclusion. “We hope law enforcement officers will promptly follow up on this report and process it legally so that there is justice for the victims who have suffered for years,” Rina concluded.