Head of Pekalongan's Padang Ati Islamic Boarding School Suspected of Sexual Violence, Faces 12-Year Prison Sentence

Police have suspended activities at Padang Ati Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes) in Simbang Kulon Village, Buaran District, Pekalongan, Central Java, following reports of alleged sexual abuse against female students. AKBP Riki Yariandi, Pekalongan City Police Chief, stated that the facility is currently under status quo to facilitate the investigation team’s crime scene processing and reconstruction of the alleged heinous acts committed by the school’s head and caretaker, identified as AKF, 54. ‘Operations have been halted to ease the investigation process and deeper case review, including planned crime scene processing and reconstruction in the near future,’ Riki Yariandi said on Thursday (28 May). AKP Setiyanto, Pekalongan City Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief, revealed that suspect AKF has been detained for 20 days. Investigators are charging him under Article 12(2)c of Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS). The article targets perpetrators of physical sexual harassment who exploit power imbalances or victims’ vulnerabilities. ‘The suspect faces a maximum 12-year prison sentence. We are still developing the case as there are indications of additional victims coming forward,’ Setiyanto stated. Police acknowledged that the case took time to surface due to victim intimidation. The suspect’s influential position in the community made female students fearful of speaking out. To accommodate previously silent victims, Pekalongan City Police have established a complaint desk. Authorities also plan to proactively contact families of female students for further statements. Coordination with the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) is ongoing. Initial data shows Padang Ati Padepokan lacks legal status as an Islamic boarding school, resulting in minimal oversight of its activities for over a decade. Kemenag confirmed the perpetrator in Pekalongan is not a registered pesantren but an unlicensed padepokan. The alleged sexual violence against female students at Padang Ati Padepokan in Pekalongan has drawn a response from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI). Pekalongan City Police have set up a sexual violence complaint desk for students at Buaran Islamic Boarding School, with the police chief guaranteeing witness protection and a safe house.