Alleged Sexual Harassment in UGM Engineering Students' Chat Group Goes Viral
Screenshots from a chat group belonging to students in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (DTETI) at the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), have gone viral on social media. In the circulating screenshots, the conversation between students appears to involve sexual harassment directed at a female student.
“Threads users, it is sad because the virality of the FH UI case changed nothing… turning women into sexual objects, how can they be so brazen in harassing women? It has happened again at UGM with different individuals. Please help boost this!!” wrote the Threads account @hmart_lw, as reported on Monday (28/9/2026).
In the uploaded screenshots, conversations between several students were seen including sensitive words that demeaned female body parts. The post has since been deleted.
Meanwhile, the Faculty of Engineering (FT) UGM and DTETI UGM have issued a formal statement via their official Instagram accounts. The statement, which was authorised for quotation, reads:
“STATEMENT OF POSITION FROM THE FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, UNIVERSITAS GADJAH MADA (FT UGM). Regarding the occurrence of Online Gender-Based Violence (KBGO) involving students, FT UGM declares the following:
FT UGM deeply regrets and strongly condemns the occurrence of online gender-based violence within the academic community. Such actions contradict the moral values, ethics, and integrity held by educated individuals.
FT UGM is fully committed to standing with the victim, as well as ensuring the availability of assistance, protection, and a sense of security for the victim throughout the resolution process.
FT UGM is actively monitoring and encouraging the handling of this case to ensure it is resolved fairly, objectively, transparently, and accountably, in accordance with the regulations and disciplinary mechanisms applicable at UGM. Sanctions will be imposed on the perpetrators fairly.”
When asked for confirmation, the Chairperson of the UGM Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (PPKS), Prof. Dra. Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, stated that the university is currently in the process of investigating the alleged sexual harassment case.
“Thank you for contacting me and for your attention; the case is currently being processed by the task force in conjunction with the university,” Yayi told reporters via text message on Monday (28/9).
Separately, UGM spokesperson Dr I Made Andi Arsana expressed similar sentiments. He noted that the university is conducting an investigation and will provide further statements in due course.
“UGM is taking careful and cautious steps to investigate this case of online gender-based violence. The Faculty of Engineering has already issued a statement of position. Coordination with relevant parties is being carried out effectively to ensure the steps taken are appropriate. We will provide updates at the earliest opportunity,” said Made via text message.