LPSK, Komnas HAM, and KPAI Urged to Promptly Investigate Sexual Violence at Pati Islamic Boarding School

Jakarta - Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Commission XIII, Sugiat Santoso, has urged several state institutions to promptly investigate the case of sexual violence at a pondok pesantren in Pati, Central Java. The institutions in question are the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI). Sugiat assessed that swift action from state institutions is necessary so that the victims can receive maximum protection and support. “We condemn this sexual crime. The state must be actively present. LPSK, Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, and KPAI should immediately conduct investigations, most importantly reaching out to the victims as soon as possible,” Sugiat stated when contacted on Wednesday (6/5/2026). Because without state intervention, justice for the victims will be difficult to realise. “Without active involvement from state institutions, the victims will continue to be in a vulnerable position. LPSK must immediately coordinate with law enforcement authorities so that the judicial process truly sides with the victims,” Sugiat said. Sugiat specifically requested that LPSK promptly provide comprehensive protection to the victims, including facilitating compensation and long-term rehabilitation. Because Sugiat assessed that the case involving the pondok pesantren leader is not merely an ordinary criminal matter but could fall into the category of serious human rights violations. “The case of the pondok pesantren leader is not just an ordinary criminal case. That heinous act already constitutes a serious human rights violation,” Sugiat stated. “Based on the mandate of the Victim and Witness Protection Law, LPSK must facilitate restitution and compensation for the victims as well as guarantee long-term social rehabilitation,” Sugiat added. “The state must truly be present to provide a sense of justice to the victims,” he concluded. Previously reported, the alleged molestation case against dozens of female students at one of the pondok pesantren in Pati Regency has advanced to the investigation stage. Police stated that they have obtained sufficient preliminary evidence after examining witnesses and conducting scene processing. This case was actually reported since 2024, while the molestation against the victims is suspected to have occurred since 2020. However, the police claimed that the handling process after the 2024 report was delayed due to attempts at family-style resolution from the victims’ side. Although already designated as a suspect, the perpetrator has not been detained to date because he is deemed cooperative during the examination process.