Unesa Suspends Six Students Over Alleged Sexual Violence in WhatsApp Group

Surabaya State University (Unesa) has suspended six students suspected of committing verbal violence against a number of female students and lecturers in a WhatsApp group. The university’s Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence, under the Directorate of Prevention and Handling of Strategic Issues, is investigating the case. The WhatsApp group conversation is suspected of containing unethical elements that objectified female students and lecturers. The conversation subsequently circulated widely.

Head of the Unesa PPK Task Force, Iman Pasu Marganda Hadiarto Purba, explained that the case originated from a complaint involving six reported vocational students. “The case involves verbal violence that occurred in the form of a chat group belonging to the students in question, which contained unethical messages about their friends and also several of their lecturers,” said Iman on Sunday, 19 July 2026, as quoted from an official statement on the Unesa website.

Iman stated that the Unesa PPK Task Force ensures that the handling approach is oriented towards the protection and recovery of victims. Unesa provides psychological assistance, legal aid, and ongoing academic support. The university also guarantees the confidentiality of the identities of all victims, complainants, and witnesses. “In addition to focusing on case handling, victim support is our priority. The task force team provides psychological assistance, ensures the smooth running of their academic support, and prepares legal aid if needed,” said Iman.

For the smooth running of the examination, Unesa has taken firm steps by suspending the six reported students from all academic and campus activities. Iman stressed that the suspension of the six reported individuals is not a final sanction, but part of an administrative procedure to ensure the examination proceeds independently while upholding the principle of presumption of innocence. “The reported individuals are suspended from all academic activities, except for matters related to fulfilling the obligations of this case examination. This is not a final sanction, but part of the handling procedure,” he asserted.

Since the report was received, the Unesa PPK Task Force has immediately carried out handling in accordance with the procedures stipulated in the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation (Permendikbudristek) Number 55 of 2024 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education Environments. “In handling this case, there is a strict mechanism in place, starting from receiving the report, reviewing the case, collecting evidence, examining the reported individuals and witnesses, providing victim support, summoning parents, compiling conclusions and recommendations, to the imposition of sanctions by the rector,” said Iman.

Iman revealed that from the interim examination results of evidence and statements from a number of witnesses, the victims so far number 26 people, consisting of 22 female students and 4 lecturers. To date, the Unesa PPK Task Force is still conducting intensive investigations to ascertain the level of violence that occurred and to mitigate the possibility of other parties being involved or affected. “We are still conducting an in-depth investigation, examining witnesses, and collecting additional evidence from the long and extensive group chat history to map out the full, objective, and fair facts of this case,” said Iman.

Unesa urges all parties to be wise by not disseminating screenshots, victim identities, or unverified information on social media in order to protect the victims from various potential psychological, social, and digital impacts in the future. The Unesa PPK Task Force urges others not to hesitate or be afraid to report any form of violence encountered or experienced directly to the PPK Task Force. Reports can be made through the official complaint service that has been prepared. Iman said complaints can be made offline at the PPK Task Force Office, Directorate of Prevention and Handling of Strategic Issues, Unesa Rectorate Building, Campus II Lidah Wetan, Surabaya. Victims can also report online via WhatsApp at number 0812-3005-5244, Instagram @satgasppk_unesa, and email [email protected].