Unesa Chat Group Scandal: AI-Generated Content Used in Sexual Harassment

The alleged sexual harassment case within a chat group at Surabaya State University (Unesa) has been found to involve not only verbal abuse but also the creation of unethical content using artificial intelligence (AI) technology targeting a victim. Tegar Eka Pambudi El Akhsan, Chair of the Unesa Faculty of Vocational Studies Student Representative Council (DPM), revealed the various methods of harassment that occurred in the application chat group. The group consisted of six reported students with the initials RY, HA, AD, RE, JO, and DO. “The forms of alleged harassment that occurred in the chat group were not only verbal harassment and objectification for personal fantasy or pleasure, but also included the use of AI technology to produce unethical content against one of the victims,” Tegar said in an official statement on Monday (20/7). The case first came to light when a victim was asked to use a suspected perpetrator’s mobile phone to contact a colleague. At that time, the victim saw a suspicious message notification from a chat group. “The victim saw a message notification from a chat group containing a sentence suspected of being unethical,” Tegar said. “The victim then opened the group without the phone owner’s knowledge and found several starred messages containing sentences suspected of involving harassment,” he continued. Two of the six group members, JO and DO, eventually provided statements to the DPM on 1 July 2026 because they could no longer tolerate their colleagues’ behaviour. They stated that the chat group, originally created to discuss competition activities, was later misused for unethical conversations. The number of victims has continued to grow since the initial report. From nine people in early July, the figure rose to 19 people by 5-6 July, and eventually reached 26 people by 13 July 2026, consisting of 22 students and four lecturers. Based on preliminary verification by Unesa’s Directorate of Prevention and Strategic Issue Management (PPIS), three parties with the initials RE, JO, and DO were declared not to be perpetrators pending the completion of the process. Meanwhile, three other parties, HA, RY, and AD, have undergone sanctions in the form of a recorded apology to their parents, which was sent to the PPIS. However, Tegar stated that a decision regarding the possibility of severe sanctions, such as expulsion, for the suspected perpetrators has not yet been made. The DPM stated that follow-up from the PPIS is still needed so that all parties can resolve the case thoroughly. “Follow-up from the PPIS is required to issue an official statement on sanctions that are as fair and appropriate as possible against the perpetrators who have tarnished the name of the study programme, faculty, and university,” he said. Meanwhile, the Head of the Unesa Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence (Satgas PPK), Iman Pasu Marganda Hadiarto Purba, said that the six vocational students reported for alleged sexual harassment via the WhatsApp group have been suspended. Iman said the six reported individuals have been suspended from all academic and campus activities to facilitate the investigation process. He stressed that the suspension is not a final sanction, but part of an administrative procedure to ensure the investigation proceeds independently while upholding the principle of presumption of innocence. “The reported individuals are suspended from all academic activities, except for fulfilling the obligations of this case examination. This is not a final sanction, but part of the handling procedure,” Iman said. Iman stated that the task force is handling the case in accordance with the procedures in the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 55 of 2024 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education, with a victim-oriented approach and upholding the principles of justice, confidentiality, and prudence. “In handling this case, there is a strict mechanism in place, starting from receiving reports, reviewing the case, gathering evidence, examining the reported individuals and witnesses, providing victim assistance, summoning parents, compiling conclusions and recommendations, to the imposition of sanctions by the rector,” he said. He added that the task force is continuing to conduct intensive investigations to ascertain the level of violence that occurred and to mitigate the possibility of other parties being involved or affected. “We are conducting an in-depth investigation, examining witnesses, and gathering additional evidence from the long and extensive chat group history to map out this case completely, objectively, and fairly,” Iman said. The task force ensures that the handling approach is oriented towards victim protection and recovery, by providing psychological assistance, legal aid, and ongoing academic support. Unesa also guarantees the confidentiality of the identities of all victims, reporters, and witnesses. “In addition to focusing on case handling, victim assistance is our priority. The task force team provides psychological support, ensures the smooth running of their academic support, and prepares legal assistance if needed,” he said.