Founder of Islamic Boarding School in Pati Rapes Female Student, Puan: Perpetrator Must Face Severe Sanctions

The ongoing prevalence of sexual violence cases in Indonesia indicates persistent vulnerabilities in safe spaces for children and women, particularly in environments with strong power relations,” said Puan in her statement on Monday (4/5/2026). Puan noted that sexual harassment against women often exploits positions of authority to commit indecent acts. She assessed that the modus operandi of power relations is frequently exploited by perpetrators against victims. “When victims are in a position where it is difficult to access assistance or report incidents, the issue is not only with the perpetrator but also with a system that has not yet provided effective protection guarantees,” Puan explained. Puan reminded that the handling of cases should not stop at legal proceedings alone. She stated that there must be protection for victims. “Of course, the perpetrator must receive severe sanctions, especially as the UU TPKS regulates additional punishments for perpetrators who are influential figures in their environment,” said Puan. “In addition to fair legal handling, including the immediate arrest of the perpetrator who has been designated as a suspect, we urge law enforcement agencies and the government to ensure that victims receive comprehensive protection,” she added. It is known that the founder of a pesantren in Tlogowungu Subdistrict, Pati Regency, with initials AS, the suspect in the rape case of a female student, was examined by police today. AS was examined at the Pati Police Resort office. “Today, in accordance with the pesantren molestation case, the agenda for the investigation stage is the examination of the suspect,” said Pati Police Chief, Commissioner Pol Jaka Wahyudi, to reporters when met in the courtyard of the Pati Regent’s office, as reported by detikJateng, on Monday (4/5/2026). He said the suspect had previously been examined as a witness. Based on the results of that examination, witness AS was subsequently designated as a suspect in the rape of several female students. “Yesterday we completed the file, including re-examining the reporter, strengthening the witnesses, and so on, with the examination of the reported party who was a witness at that time. To strengthen it, we have also examined expert witnesses and so forth,” Jaka explained. Jaka said that AS had been designated as a suspect on 28 April 2026. However, the suspect was only examined on 4 May 2026. “The results led the investigators to designate him as a suspect on 28 April 2026. Yesterday, after 28 April 2026 when he was designated as a suspect, the agenda on 4 May 2026 is the examination as a suspect,” he clarified.