Alleged Sexual Harassment Case Against Teacher at Special Needs School in Yogyakarta Escalates to Investigation

The Yogyakarta Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) has escalated the case of alleged sexual harassment against a student at a special needs school in Yogyakarta, reportedly committed by a teacher, to the investigation stage. Five witnesses have been questioned in this case.

“We have conducted examinations of five witnesses. Yesterday, we held a case meeting and have now elevated the process to the investigation stage,” said the Head of the Yogyakarta Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit, Kompol Riski Adrian, when met in the Malioboro area on Wednesday (February 25, 2026).

In this investigation process, Riski said, all parties being questioned, including the alleged perpetrator, still have the status of witnesses. The case has been elevated to the investigation stage because the police found elements of a criminal act in this case.

“We believe that there was a criminal act, which is why we have elevated the case to the investigation stage. The first witness will be summoned for questioning on Friday,” Riski said.

“Previously, the school had taken certain actions, and there was clarification between the school and the alleged perpetrator. From the witness statements we obtained, there was an admission,” he added.

Previously, it was reported that the student at a special needs school in Yogyakarta, who was allegedly harassed by her teacher, had filed a report to the Yogyakarta Police Department. The report was filed by the victim’s legal counsel and received by the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Yogyakarta Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit.

The victim’s legal counsel, Hilmi Miftazen, said that the report filed was an allegation of sexual harassment committed by one of the teachers at the special needs school where the student attends.

“So, this report is an allegation of sexual harassment committed by a teacher at one of the special needs schools in Yogyakarta,” Hilmi explained after filing the report at the Yogyakarta Police Department on Friday (February 20).

“We may not be able to mention (the name of the school) yet because it is still in the process of being handled by the PPA investigators. We may also not be able to disclose the chronology because it is still under investigation,” he continued.

From the statements of the student and her family, Hilmi explained that the incident occurred in mid-November to December 2025. The family found out about the incident after the student told them about the teacher’s actions.

“So, initially, the victim told her parents, but not in detail. Therefore, the victim’s family told an NGO (Harimau NGO), after which the Harimau NGO called us. This happened about a month ago, according to her mother, since November 2025,” he said.

“Yes, there were actions that were unethical, committed by the teacher. In our opinion, it is disgusting because children need the right to education,” Hilmi added.

However, Hilmi admitted that he did not yet know the details of the incident, such as how many times the victim was harassed and where the harassment occurred. Hilmi said that they are now handing over the investigation process to the police.

“The victim was born in 2009, in second grade. According to her, it happened several times, but we don’t know how many times. (The location of the harassment) is not yet known for sure; according to the victim, it happened in the classroom and outside,” he explained.

“The victim has a little trauma because she has special needs. So, it is difficult to uncover the facts about when it happened,” he added.

The Head of the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Yogyakarta Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Unit, Ipda Apri Sawitri, explained that after receiving the report, they would immediately take action.

“Yes, (the report has been received). It is an act of indecency against a child. Later, when it becomes a formal police report, I will confirm it with my colleagues. Just wait for the police report,” Apri said.