Rieke Says Universities Become Hypocritical if Sexual Violence is Normalised

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Commission XIII, Rieke Diah Pitaloka, has criticised the prevalence of sexual violence cases in higher education environments.

She assessed that higher education institutions could become hypocritical if they allow such practices to be regarded as commonplace.

“Universities seem like ivory towers, but they are rotten inside. Their intellectual ideas are grand, but sexual violence issues are increasing. That is something hypocritical,” Rieke stated in the Gaspol Kompas.com podcast programme on Wednesday (22/4/2026).

Rieke was even furious to see the lingering perception that sexual violence, especially when disguised as jokes, is not a serious matter.

“If it is considered normal, it is disgusting, I swear. No need for lofty language, it is revolting,” she said.

She also warned of the most dangerous impact when sexual violence begins to be normalised in educational environments.

“When people already consider sexual violence as normal, then other crimes, whether corruption or whatever, will no longer be regarded as such,” Rieke explained.

Therefore, Rieke encouraged universities not to stop at administrative sanctions but to boldly take firm steps against perpetrators of sexual violence.

According to her, universities must show bias towards victims, including through recommendations for firm sanctions up to bringing cases to the legal realm.

“With the findings available, universities must dare to recommend suspension, dismissal, and even if necessary, bring it to the legal realm, of course with the consent of the victim and their family,” she said.

Rieke also assessed that universities have a moral responsibility to accompany victims, including providing legal assistance.

“Prepare university lawyers. This happens in the education ecosystem, so it cannot be let go just like that,” she concluded.