Five Lecturers at UPN Jogja Suspended Amid Sexual Violence Case

We have identified again and communicated with the Student Executive Board (BEM). There are six lecturers we are processing in relation to allegations of sexual harassment. It subsequently emerged that there was one more lecturer, said Hendro Widjanarko, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Cooperation at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, to reporters at the UPNVY campus in Sleman, as reported by detikJogja on Friday, 22 May 2026.

Based on preliminary data, three accused lecturers are from the Faculty of Agriculture, two from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), and one from the Faculty of Mineral Technology and Energy (FTME). One other accused lecturer is from another university.

Hendro emphasised that the campus will not tolerate any form of sexual violence on campus. While investigations are ongoing, the university has placed several suspected perpetrators on leave from Tridharma activities.

“We have never tolerated and will never tolerate harassment or sexual violence on the campus of UPN Veteran Yogyakarta. If proven, we will take firm action in accordance with applicable regulations,” said Hendro.

Meanwhile, the Chair of the Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (PPKPT) at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, Dr Iva Rachmawati, explained that to date the task force has examined 13 complainants or victims and 12 witnesses. The victims who reported are mostly undergraduates, though there are also victims who are master’s degree students.

“Today we will also hold a meeting to decide what the facts we have gathered in the minutes of investigation for the 13th victim and 12 witnesses actually show,” said Iva.

Meanwhile, regarding the UPN lecturers accused, Iva said five people have been interviewed. One other lecturer has already been sanctioned for a sexual violence case in 2023.

Iva explained that the sanctions imposed on that lecturer consisted of a prohibition on teaching undergraduate students until the end of 2025, and the campus is still evaluating.

“Five have been in the investigation minutes (BAP), three on leave by Rector’s Decree, two on leave at the programme level, one continuing an old sanction and being reevaluated, and one from outside,” he said.

“So six are from UPN, including those who have continued sanctions; one is from another university,” he explained.