PBNU urges pesantren to strengthen santri protection systems

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) through the Pesantren Anti-Violence Unit (SAKA) has urged religious educational institutions, particularly pesantren, to strengthen santri protection systems in light of a sexual violence case at Ponpes Ndolo Kusumo. “We emphasise that cases like this must serve as a serious lesson to strengthen santri protection systems. The safety and dignity of santri must be placed above everything,” said PBNU Chair Alissa Wahid when contacted from Jakarta on Tuesday. Alissa stressed that sexual violence cases involving kiai or pesantren caretakers constitute extraordinary crimes that tarnish religious education institutions. According to her, there is no room for any form of violence in educational environments. Pesantren must be safe and healthy places for santri to grow, both in knowledge and mentally. “Such actions are crimes that cannot be justified by any reason. This is a betrayal of educational values, humanity, and the trust of pesantren,” she said. SAKA Pesantren PBNU has requested law enforcement authorities to promptly process the perpetrators fairly, transparently, and thoroughly in accordance with applicable laws. “We urge all stakeholders to side with the victims and provide maximum support, from legal assistance to long-term psychological recovery,” said Alissa. She advised parents and the public to be more meticulous in choosing pesantren by examining the track record of caretakers, oversight systems, institutional governance, and commitment to santri protection. “We ask all parties to remain calm, avoid anarchic actions, and entrust the handling process to law enforcement authorities,” she said.