UI Law Faculty Student Case: Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Calls for Firm Action Regardless of Family Background

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, stated that the act of sexual harassment involving 16 students from the Faculty of Law at Universitas Indonesia (UI) has degraded the dignity of women. Arifah strongly condemned the attitude of the dozen students who are suspected of carrying out harassment through a digital conversation group with sentences that degrade women, including female students and lecturers. “The enforcement of the law against cases of sexual violence must be carried out firmly and without favouritism, regardless of who the perpetrators are or their family backgrounds,” said Arifah in a press statement on Tuesday (14/4/2026). “Such actions not only degrade the dignity of women but also create an unsafe environment, especially in academic spaces,” she said. “Every form of sexual harassment, including that carried out through closed conversations in digital spaces, is a violation of human rights and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” she emphasised. Arifah stated that the handling of this case must refer to applicable legal regulations, including Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS). “And ensure that victims receive accompaniment services, both psychologically and legally, and are protected from stigma, intimidation, and re-victimisation, as well as the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of the victim’s identity,” she said. Previously reported, 16 Universitas Indonesia (UI) students are suspected of committing sexual harassment against female students in the faculty. The alleged harassment went viral on social media in the form of conversations leading to sexual matters in a social media group. The Chair of the Executive Board of Students (BEM) FH UI, Anandaku Dimas Rumi Chattaristo, said that all the perpetrators are students from the 2023 batch. The Dean of the Faculty of Law UI also issued an official statement on 12 April 2026, affirming that the Faculty and University strongly condemn the act. “The Faculty strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that degrade human dignity and contradict the values of law and academic ethics,” reads the statement from the Faculty of Law UI posted on its Instagram. “And the summoning of students suspected of being involved,” said Erwin in a written statement received by Kompas.com on Monday. If during the investigation process it is proven that there was a violation, the university will impose sanctions in accordance with applicable provisions. “Including academic sanctions up to dismissal as a student. And not ruling out further coordination with law enforcement authorities if criminal elements are found,” he said.