16 Perpetrators of FHUI Lewd Chat Apologise in Front of the Victims

The students accused of sexual harassment in the University of Indonesia Faculty of Law (FHUI) WhatsApp group have apologised directly in front of the victims.

The apologies were delivered at a forum held in the DH UI Auditorium on Monday evening (13/4). FH UI Student Executive Board Chairman Anandaku Dimas Rumi Chattaristo stated that the perpetrators were deliberately gathered at the forum to accommodate victims who wished to receive direct apologies.

“Last night, a forum was indeed held in the DH UI Auditorium to accommodate victims who wanted to receive direct apologies from the perpetrators,” Dimas told reporters on Tuesday (14/4).

Dimas said the forum was attended by 16 perpetrators and the victims. The victims expressed disappointment and anger over the alleged harassment in the group.

“Regarding the victims’ responses, I cannot represent all their feelings, and I respect what they feel, but certainly disappointment and anger must encompass those who became victims,” he said.

Dimas emphasised that apologies alone are not enough. “There needs to be firm sanctions that favour the victims in this case,” he stated.

The alleged harassment case began with the circulation of screenshots from the chat group containing lewd conversations purportedly by FHUI students. In the group, they made derogatory remarks about other female students.

According to the Instagram account of the Faculty of Law UI (@fakultashukumui), the faculty has received reports regarding the chat group. The faculty strongly condemns the actions.

“The Faculty strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that degrade human dignity and contradict legal and academic ethical values,” stated the Faculty of Law UI.

UI Rector Heri Hermansyah has affirmed his commitment to combating every case of harassment up to sexual violence on campus.

“We will monitor it together. We fight sexual violence,” Heri said, quoting detikcom, on Monday (13/4).

Heri admitted to having learned of the information and is still awaiting a report from the faculty.

“I just heard about it last night. And I have asked the dean, waiting for the response,” he added.