MP Urges UI to Transparently Investigate Sexual Harassment Case in Student Group Chat
Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Lola Nelria Oktavia, has condemned allegations of sexual harassment in a group chat among students of the Faculty of Law at Universitas Indonesia (UI). She described the case as an alarm for the world of education, particularly law in Indonesia.
“I express deep concern and strongly condemn the alleged verbal sexual harassment involving students of the Faculty of Law at Universitas Indonesia. This incident is a serious violation of human values and academic ethics that should be upheld in the campus environment,” Lola said to reporters on Thursday (16/4/2026).
Lola expressed dismay that law students, who are studying law, are instead violating applicable provisions. According to her, aspiring law enforcers must uphold respect and empathy.
“This case also serves as an important alarm for legal education. We need to realise that these students are future law enforcers, so integrity, empathy, and respect for human rights must be the main foundation in their education process,” she said.
Lola also urged UI to be transparent in investigating the case involving those 16 students. She also asked the campus to impose sanctions that would have a deterrent effect on the perpetrators.
“I support firm and transparent steps from the campus side in following up on this case, including the imposition of sanctions that can provide a deterrent effect. The internal handling process through the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS) must certainly be respected, but it must still ensure bias towards the victim and uphold the principles of justice,” she said.
According to her, if criminal elements are found in the investigation, the police must intervene. She also encouraged strengthening the sexual violence prevention system in the education environment.
“I assess that if criminal elements are found, the police—particularly the unit handling women and children—need to step in to conduct a thorough investigation. Firm law enforcement is key to providing a deterrent effect and preventing similar cases from recurring, both in the campus environment and in the wider public space,” Lola stated.
“Going forward, I see the need for strengthening the sexual violence prevention system in the campus environment, including through ethics education, increased gender awareness, and more effective and responsive monitoring mechanisms,” she added.
Previously, Universitas Indonesia (UI) investigated allegations of verbal sexual harassment involving dozens of students in the Faculty of Law environment. The campus side emphasised that verbal sexual violence is a serious violation.
“UI emphasises that every form of sexual violence, including verbal forms occurring in digital or offline interactions, is a serious violation of the university’s basic values, the academic community’s code of ethics, and applicable legal regulations,” said Director of Public Relations, Media, Government, and International Relations Erwin Agustian Panigoro at the UI Depok campus, as quoted by Antara on Tuesday (14/4).
Erwin stated that the investigation process is currently underway through UI’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS) with a victim-centred approach, upholding principles of justice, confidentiality, and caution. He said this process includes verifying reports, summoning parties, gathering evidence, and coordinating with related units at the faculty and university levels.
Meanwhile, FHUI has taken initial steps in the form of internal tracing and summoning suspected involved students. The FHUI Student Representative Council has imposed organisational sanctions by revoking active membership status for several students, as stated in Decree Number 007/SK/BPMFHUI/IV/2026.
Erwin described those steps as an initial response at the student organisation level. He emphasised that if violations are proven in the investigation process, the university will impose sanctions according to applicable provisions, including academic sanctions up to dismissal as a student, and does not rule out coordination with law enforcement authorities if criminal elements are found.