Unesa Suspends Six Students Over Alleged Verbal Abuse in WhatsApp Group
Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa) has taken decisive action by suspending six students suspected of involvement in a verbal abuse case. The decision was made to facilitate the investigation process being conducted by the university’s Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence (Satgas PPK).
Iman Pasu Marganda Hadiarto Purba, Head of the Unesa PPK Task Force, stated that the reported students have been temporarily released from all academic activities. However, they are still required to attend examinations related to the case.
“This is not a final sanction, but part of the handling procedure to ensure the investigation proceeds objectively,” Iman said in Surabaya on Sunday (19/7/2026).
The case came to light following a report about unethical conversation history in a WhatsApp group involving six vocational programme students. The messages were found to objectify several female students and lecturers.
Based on preliminary investigations, the task force identified 26 victims, comprising female students and four lecturers. The investigation team is currently examining additional evidence from the extensive group chat history.
“We are still conducting an in-depth investigation, examining witnesses, and gathering additional evidence to map out this case thoroughly, objectively, and fairly,” Iman stressed.
The handling of this case refers to the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation (Permendikbudristek) Number 55 of 2024.
Iman emphasised that the university’s main priority is to provide protection to the victims. Unesa has prepared psychological assistance, academic support, and legal aid if needed. The identities of the victims, reporters, and witnesses are also guaranteed confidentiality.
He stated that Unesa urges the public and the academic community not to disseminate screenshots of the conversations or the identities of the parties involved to protect the victims from further psychological and social impacts.
The university has also opened official reporting channels through the PPK Task Force office and online services for anyone who knows of alleged violence within the university environment.
Based on the Investigation Report, the PPKPT Task Force has examined five reported individuals, 10 victims, and 13 witnesses.