A Series of Sexual Harassment Cases in University Environments
Several sexual harassment cases in university environments have come to light recently. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network recorded 233 cases of violence, including sexual violence, in academic settings from January to March 2026.
Universities accounted for the highest number of violence cases (11%) after schools (71%). Other locations included pesantren environments at 9%, non-formal education units at 6%, and madrasahs at 3%.
JPPI data also noted that the most dominant type of violence in academic environments was sexual violence, at 46%. This was followed by physical violence (34%), bullying (19%), policies containing violence (6%), and psychological violence (2%).
“The high number of sexual violence cases in educational environments indicates a serious failure in protecting learners from the most basic crimes against the body and human dignity,” said JPPI National Coordinator Ubaid Matraji on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
Reports of sexual violence cases have recently emerged and drawn attention at several universities. This follows a similar case at the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia. Below is a summary of several sexual violence cases at various campuses.
- Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia
Sixteen students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia (FH UI) are suspected of sexually harassing 20 female students and 7 lecturers from the same faculty. The sexual harassment was verbal in nature.
The suspects engaged in sexually charged conversations in an internal group on a messaging platform. These conversations spread on social media via a post from the account @sampahfhui on Saturday, 11 April 2026.
The victims’ legal representative, Timotius Rajagukguk, said the verbal sexual violence by the suspected student perpetrators at FH UI occurred since 2025. Currently, the University of Indonesia’s Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence has examined the suspected perpetrators on 13 April.
In response to the case, UI has deactivated the status of the 16 FH UI students suspected of involvement in the sexual harassment. UI’s Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Affairs, Erwin Agustian Panigoro, said the suspension of student status is not the final sanction. “This policy is a preventive administrative step taken to maintain the integrity of the examination process and protect all parties involved,” he said on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
- Jakarta State University
Anna Abelina, a student from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Jakarta State University (UNJ), accompanied a victim who experienced sexual harassment in the campus environment. The suspected perpetrator is Fathi Aji Setiawan, Commander of UNJ Greenforce for the 2026-2027 period.
This sexual violence case at UNJ surfaced after the wing organisation of the Department of Social and Political Affairs of the UNJ Student Executive Board dismissed Fathi as commander on 1 April 2026. The suspected perpetrator was dishonourably discharged for allegedly harassing the victim verbally and non-verbally.
Anna said the alleged sexual violence occurred from July 2025 to March 2026. During that period, the suspected perpetrator allegedly forced the victim to have sexual intercourse despite repeated refusals, psychologically pressured the victim, and manipulated her. “The victim demands social and academic sanctions against the suspected perpetrator to create a deterrent effect and prevent other victims,” she said on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
- Padjadjaran University
A professor from the Faculty of Nursing at Padjadjaran University (Unpad), initialled IY, is suspected of committing sexual violence against an exchange programme student. The case was revealed by the Unpad Student Executive Board after reports of the alleged sexual violence circulated on social media.
“We reject all forms of tolerance and cover-up of sexual violence in the academic environment. There is no tolerance for institutions, organisations, or individuals who choose to remain silent, protect perpetrators, or prioritise reputation over victim safety,” said the Unpad BEM in its statement on Wednesday, 15 April 2026.
Unpad Rector Arief Sjamsulaksan Kartasasmita stated that the campus does not tolerate any form of violence, including sexual violence in any form, in the campus environment. “Every allegation of violation will be followed up seriously and in accordance with applicable provisions,” he said on Thursday, 16 April 2026.
He said Unpad has temporarily deactivated the lecturer suspected of committing sexual violence against the student. Unpad, he added, has also conducted a case investigation involving the campus PPKS Task Force and faculty senate elements.
“If during the investigation process it is proven that there is a violation in the form of sexual violence, Padjadjaran University will impose sanctions in accordance with applicable regulations and legislation,” said Arief.
- Budi Luhur University
An alumnus of Budi Luhur University reported a lecturer initialled Y for alleged sexual violence to the police. Head of Public Relations of Metro Jaya Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, said the report was filed by the victim on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The victim’s legal representative, Pahala Manurung, said the sexual violence occurred in March 2021 when the victim was still a student.
In her report, the victim claimed to have experienced verbal and non-verbal harassment from the suspected perpetrator, who was her lecturer at the time. “We hope this report will be firmly addressed by the police so that there are no more victims,” said Pahala on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
Budi Luhur University stated that it has deactivated the lecturer initialled Y since 27 February 2026.
“Based on the results of the investigation and examination by the PPKPT Task Force Team, Budi Luhur University has taken firm, swift, and structured steps by deactivating through the issuance of the Rector’s Decree on the Release of Duties in the Field of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education for the Lecturer in the Even Semester,” said the Rector of Budi Luhur University.