Komnas Perempuan urges legal processing of alleged harassment case at FH UI

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has urged that the case of alleged sexual harassment against several female students and lecturers at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Law (FH UI) be handled legally. “We appreciate the courage of the victims who have spoken out and reported this case to the task force. We urge that this case be handled in full accordance with applicable law, not reduced to merely an ethical violation,” said Komnas Perempuan member Devi Rahayu when contacted in Jakarta on Wednesday. The commission regrets the occurrence of this case because a campus should be a safe and equal public space for the entire academic community, not a space that perpetuates violence and gender inequality. According to her, the actions of the perpetrators fall under the category of Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (KSBE) or Online Gender-Based Violence (KBGO). Komnas Perempuan also reminds that the existing ethical code mechanism at the campus is not a substitute for legal processes. “Both can run in parallel. Handling that relies solely on internal channels can risk perpetuating impunity and may be imitated, sending the message that sexual violence on campus can be resolved internally,” said Komnas Perempuan member Sondang Frishka. According to her, the handling of this case can refer to Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation Number 55 of 2024 on the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Environments, which requires the task force to follow up on reports comprehensively and does not rule out legal processes. “Formal legal processes also need to be opened as widely as possible for victims who choose the criminal route, without administrative barriers, and without pressure from the campus environment,” said Sondang Frishka.