DPR Member: Impose Severe Punishment on Sexual Violence Perpetrators in Pati Pesantren

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Member of DPR RI Commission VIII Selly Andriany Gantina has demanded that the perpetrators of sexual violence at Pesantren Tlogowungu in Pati, Central Java, be sentenced to severe punishment, such as maximum lifetime imprisonment, if found guilty. “If there is a word more than ‘barbaric’, I think it is fitting to apply it to the perpetrators and anyone involved; lifetime imprisonment must be imposed on them,” said Selly, quoted in Jakarta on Saturday. Selly also regretted the police’s negligent attitude towards the victims’ reports. Initial suspicions indicate that the victims had reported to the police since 2024. However, the report was only followed up in the last few days. Quoting DPR Speaker Puan Maharani’s statement, Selly urged that the case be investigated transparently and communicated openly to the public. “With 50 female student victims dominated by orphans, this shows a systematic failure in child protection within religious education environments,” she said. The former Acting Regent of Cirebon also highlighted the law enforcement apparatus (APH) at Pati Police Resort who neglected the case. According to Selly, they ignored Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS) and Law Number 17 of 2016 on Child Protection. “Also investigate the APH who neglected this case. If necessary, dismiss them, because they neglect the public. They do not deserve to receive salaries from the state, which comes from the people’s money,” she said. The legislator for Electoral District West Java VIII, covering Cirebon and Indramayu, called on the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Witness and Victim Protection Agency, and the National Commission on Child Protection to immediately provide ongoing psychosocial support for the victims, considering the long-term trauma impact of sexual violence. Furthermore, she stated that a comprehensive evaluation is also needed on pesantren supervision, including the role of the Ministry of Religious Affairs through the Directorate General of Pesantren, to ensure standards for student protection up to victim reporting and protection systems. Thus, it is hoped that no more victims have to wait until graduation to dare to speak out. She also reminded that the Pati case serves as a stark reminder that victims’ courage to report must be matched by the state’s swift, responsive, and supportive presence. There should be no more reports that stagnate without legal certainty. “The state must not be slower than the perpetrators. Every violence report must be acted upon immediately, not waiting for years until the case escalates,” she said.