UPN 'Veteran' Yogyakarta Suspends Five Lecturers Linked to Sexual Violence Case
UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta continues to investigate a case of alleged sexual violence involving lecturers. To date, seven lecturers have been identified, including one external lecturer reportedly involved.
“We have also identified and communicated again with the Student Executive Board (BEM). There are six lecturers under investigation for indicators of sexual harassment, and one more lecturer has emerged,” said Hendro Widjanarko, Vice Rector for Student Affairs, Alumni and Cooperation at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, to reporters at the UPNVY campus in Sleman, on Friday (22 May 2026).
Based on preliminary data, three accused lecturers are from the Faculty of Agriculture, two from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), and one from the Faculty of Mineral Technology and Energy (FTME). One other accused lecturer is from another university.
Hendro emphasised that the campus will not tolerate any form of sexual violence on campus. During the investigation, the university has suspended several suspected perpetrators from tridharma activities.
“We have never tolerated, and will never tolerate, any form of harassment or sexual violence within the UPN Veteran Yogyakarta campus. If this is proven, we will take firm action in accordance with the applicable regulations,” said Hendro.
Meanwhile, the head of the Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Higher Education (PPKPT) at UPN ‘Veteran’ Yogyakarta, Dr Iva Rachmawati, explained that to date the task force has questioned 13 victims or complainants, and 12 witnesses. Most victims who reported are undergraduate students (S1), though there are also female postgraduate students (S2).
“Today we will also hold a meeting to determine what the facts we have collected in the minutes of examination (BAP) of the 13th victim and 12 witnesses really show,” said Iva.
Regarding the lecturers under investigation, Iva said five have been examined. One lecturer has already been sanctioned for a separate case in 2023.
The sanctions include a prohibition on teaching S1 students until the end of 2025, while the university is still evaluating.
“Five have been examined; three already suspended by the Rector’s Decree; two suspended at the programme level; one is continuing an older sanction and is undergoing reevaluation; one is from outside,” she said.
“So, six are from UPN, including those who have already had sanctions continued; one is from another university,” she added.
Additionally, one lecturer from another university who was also reported will be processed separately because he is not part of UPNVY.
“That lecturer is from outside the university, and we will of course go through a different process, as he is not part of Universitas UPN Veteran Yogyakarta,” she noted.
Iva said that the reports the task force has received so far mostly concern verbal abuse. However, she cannot yet confirm all forms of violence reported, as investigations are ongoing. But she stressed that there has been no sexual violence involving penetration or coercion.
“For now, the examination minutes indicate verbal abuse. But honestly, given the number of minutes, I must read them carefully. We will convene this afternoon to propose recommendations. So I apologise, we cannot yet conclusively state whether the violence was only verbal,” she said.
Iva explained that sanctions recommendations would be decided in the task force meeting and submitted to campus leadership. The type of sanction will depend on the severity of the violation, ranging from light to severe.
“Light sanctions include an apology and commitment; moderate sanctions involve demotion; severe sanctions could include dismissal,” she concluded.
(afn/ahr)