PKB Views Pesantren Sexual Violence Case as Full of Power Relations

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Awakening Party (PKB) views cases of sexual violence in pondok pesantren as replete with power relations, or unequal relationships between the two parties. “The power relations there are quite significant,” said PKB politician and Chair of the National Pesantren Meeting, Nihayatul Wafiroh, at the PKB Central Board Office in Jakarta on Friday. According to him, several power relations occur between the perpetrator and the victim, such as religious and political power relations. In addition, he said the case is complex given the many questions regarding the implementation of Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS). “Is the implementation under that law already strong enough? What is the actual understanding in pesantren? Then, what is the actual legal protection? In some cases, what is the response from law enforcement to victim reports?” he said. “It cannot be just pesantren that moves. It cannot be just the state that moves. But all stakeholders must move,” he stated. The meeting is named the National Pesantren Meeting, themed the Anti-Sexual Violence Pesantren Movement. The event, which invites representatives from around 250 pesantren, will be held in Jakarta on 18-19 May 2026.