Police designate East Java Kick Boxing Indonesia chair as suspect in sexual violence case

Surabaya — The East Java Regional Police (Polda) have designated the Chairman of the East Java Provincial Board of Kick Boxing Indonesia (Pengprov KBI Jatim), identified as WPC, as a suspect in allegations of sexual violence against a 24-year-old athlete, identified as VAP, across multiple locations.

“The incidents occurred in the areas of Jombang, Ngawi, and Bali. So there are approximately three regions where the sexual violence offences took place. The suspect is allegedly said to have committed unlawful acts against the victim by exploiting the situation and proximity that existed,” said Kombes Pol Jules Abraham Abast, Head of Public Relations at the East Java Regional Police Headquarters, at the police station on Monday.

Kombes Pol Ganis Setyaningrum, Director of the Directorate of Criminal Investigation for Women and Child Protection and Human Trafficking Eradication (Ditres PPA-PPO) of the East Java Regional Police, explained that the case arose from a power dynamic between the suspect, who was a coach at the time, and the victim, who was an athlete.

She stated that the sexual violence was alleged to have occurred across three different locations with a total of four incidents.

“So in these three locations there are several modes of operation. Among them are during planned training activities outside the city, and also during competition activities,” said Ganis.

Kompol Ruth Yeni, Head of Sub-directorate II of the Ditres PPA-PPO of the East Java Regional Police, added that the victim experienced various forms of sexual violence, including unwanted hugging that made the victim uncomfortable.

“The victim felt very uncomfortable with such treatment. It was not just hugging but there were several other actions,” said Ruth.

During the investigation, police secured several pieces of evidence including hotel room reservation and payment receipts, documents of the East Java Regional Training Centre (Puslatda) Decision Letters, and one mobile telephone unit.

For these actions, the suspect is charged under Law Number 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Offences (TPKS) as regulated in Article 5, with a maximum prison sentence of nine months and/or a fine of up to 10 million rupiah, and Article 6 paragraph (c), with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years and/or a fine of up to 300 million rupiah.