MP Proposes Universities Establish Professional Units to Handle Sexual Violence

JAKARTA - A member of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission X, Lita Machfud Arifin, has proposed that higher education institutions establish special units that are independent and professional to handle sexual violence cases within the campus environment.

“Victims are often in a vulnerable position, fearing stigma, social pressure, and even threats to their academic future. Therefore, the initial response from the institution is crucial,” Lita said in Jakarta on Friday (17/4/2026).

According to Lita, such cases serve as a serious alarm for the protection system in higher education.

She assessed that the existence of an independent unit plays an important role in ensuring that case handling proceeds objectively, victim-oriented, and free from internal campus conflicts of interest.

She also emphasised the importance of synergy between campus parties, law enforcement authorities, and victim support institutions so that the handling process runs comprehensively.

“The most important thing is to ensure that victims feel safe, heard, and receive justice. Without that, regulations will not have a real impact,” she stated.

“The campus must be a place that protects, not one that makes victims even more pressured,” she added.

She further noted that this case serves as a reminder that protection for victims of sexual violence is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral commitment from all elements, especially educational institutions.

“Moving forward, we need to encourage more holistic and multidisciplinary studies to comprehensively examine the root problems. From there, we can formulate more appropriate methodologies to minimise similar incidents,” said University of Indonesia Rector Heri Hermansyah.

The UI Rector conveyed that the campus has strong academic resources, including the existence of multidisciplinary gender studies programmes, to promote comprehensive studies on the root issues and formulate more effective prevention methodologies.