Government Urged to Establish Task Force for Preventing Sexual Violence in Islamic Boarding Schools

JAKARTA - A member of the House of Representatives Commission VIII from the PDIP faction, Muhamad Abdul Azis Sefudin, is urging the government to establish a Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Pondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding schools). “This task force is essential to ensure that case handling proceeds quickly, in a coordinated manner, and favours the victims. There must be no more victims who feel alone or afraid to report,” said Azis in his statement on Monday (4/6/2026). According to him, there needs to be collective cross-ministerial and institutional efforts to comprehensively resolve this issue. Moreover, recent cases of sexual violence in pesantren environments have emerged, involving dozens of female students in Pati Regency, Central Java. “This is no longer just individual cases, but shows a recurring and systemic pattern. The state must not lose to sexual offenders, especially those occurring in educational spaces like pesantren. We need extraordinary measures,” said Azis. Because, according to him, victims often do not receive maximum protection, yet the legal process is lengthy. Therefore, this issue must be resolved with more integrated solutions. Azis added that the existence of this task force is hoped to function as a prevention instrument through supervision, education, and the establishment of a safe and accessible reporting system for the students. “If we are serious about eliminating these cases, reacting only when cases arise is not enough. There must be a strong prevention system, strict supervision, and massive education in pesantren environments,” said Azis. Azis stated that pesantren are places to gain knowledge and build morals, not spaces that breed trauma. “We must ensure that the educational environment is truly safe. This is about the future of the nation’s generations,” he continued. The alleged molestation case against dozens of female students at one of the pondok pesantren in Pati Regency, Central Java, has entered a new phase after investigators gathered witness statements and initial evidence that meets legal requirements.