Central Java Police Say Sexual Violence Cases in Islamic Boarding Schools Alarming

The Director of Women and Children Protection and Human Trafficking Eradication (Dirres PPA-PPO) of the Central Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol Nunuk Setiyowati, stated that cases of sexual violence within the environment of Islamic boarding schools (ponpes) occurring in several areas of Central Java have become alarming. She admitted that efforts are being undertaken to minimise such cases.

“Even a single case is something we consider an alarming situation,” said Nunuk when asked for her views on the series of sexual violence cases that have occurred in Central Java over the last few months, on Wednesday (1/7/2026).

She revealed that between January and June 2026, the Ditres PPA-PPO of the Central Java Police handled 198 cases of violence against women and children. Six of these cases involved sexual violence within the environment of Islamic boarding schools.

“These six cases are spread across Semarang Regency, Wonogiri, Demag, Pekalongan Kota, and Jepara,” Nunuk stated.

Regarding the sexual violence cases specifically within boarding schools, Nunuk noted a similarity in the modus operandi. “There is usually a doctrine that you must obey what is said by certain teachers, founders, or caregivers in the boarding school. This doctrine is repeatedly delivered, so if there is a specific request or order, the victim follows it,” she explained.

According to Nunuk, female students (santriwati) who are victims of sexual violence by their caregivers often do not dare to reveal or report the incidents. The factors of doctrine and power imbalance play a role in creating this fear.

Nunuk stated that the victims’ lack of courage to report is the primary obstacle in investigating sexual violence cases within boarding schools. “Therefore, we must ensure that these victims are provided with protection, because there is a possibility of intervention in the future, such as requests not to report, and so on,” Nunuk said when asked about the approach the police take when finding suspected victims in boarding schools to encourage them to come forward.