Testing the Courage of State Institutions: Awaiting the Resolve to Resolve the Sexual Violence Case at Pati Islamic Boarding School
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The case of alleged sexual violence against dozens of female students at an Islamic boarding school in Pati Regency, Central Java, is no longer merely an ordinary criminal matter.
Amid public pressure for severe punishment of the perpetrators, attention is now focused on the courage of state institutions to demonstrate their support for the victims.
One by one, members of the House of Representatives (DPR) are pushing the state to act more swiftly.
They remind that the case, which has been ongoing since 2020, leaves long-term trauma for the victims and demands the tangible presence of the state.
The institutions in question include the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK), the National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM), the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).
“We condemn this sexual crime. The state is obliged to be actively present. LPSK, Komnas HAM, Komnas Perempuan, and KPAI must immediately conduct investigations, most importantly reaching out to the victims as soon as possible,” said Sugiat when contacted on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
According to Sugiat, the active involvement of state institutions is crucial to ensure that victims do not remain in a vulnerable position. Without state intervention, he said, justice for the victims will be difficult to achieve.
“Without active involvement from state institutions, victims will continue to be in a vulnerable position. LPSK must immediately coordinate with law enforcement authorities so that the judicial process truly favours the victims,” he said.
“The case involving the pesantren leader is not just an ordinary crime. That heinous act already constitutes a serious human rights violation,” Sugiat stressed.
He also urged LPSK to immediately provide comprehensive protection to the victims, including facilitating restitution, compensation, and long-term social rehabilitation.
According to Sugiat, this is supported by strong legal grounds through the Witness and Victim Protection Law (UU PSDK), which was recently passed by the DPR.
“Based on the mandate of the UU PSDK, LPSK must facilitate restitution and compensation for victims and ensure long-term social rehabilitation,” he stated.
“The state must truly be present to provide a sense of justice to the victims,” Sugiat concluded.
A similar tone was expressed by Member of Commission XIII of the DPR RI, Fauqi Hapidekso. He urged LPSK to immediately provide maximum protection to the victims at the Ndholo Kusumo Islamic Boarding School in Pati.
According to Fauqi, victims of sexual violence often face psychological pressure and intimidation from their surroundings, so the state must not wait for formal reports from the victims to act.
“The state must not be passive. LPSK must be proactive in providing comprehensive protection so that victims feel safe and do not become victims again. Victims often face trauma, fear, and potential intimidation from the perpetrators or their surroundings to silence them,” said Fauqi.