Victims of Sexual Violence in Pati Islamic Boarding School at Risk of Relationship Trauma to Depression

Psychologist for children and families, Astrid Wen, reveals that the female students who are victims of sexual violence at one of the Islamic boarding schools in Pati Regency, Central Java, are at risk of experiencing serious psychological impacts. Cases like this are considered very severe, especially because they occur repeatedly, in imbalanced power relations, and within a system that silences the victims. “The psychological impacts that may arise in children include relational trauma, severe anxiety, depression, feelings of helplessness, identity confusion, and vulnerability to becoming victims again in the future,” said Astrid when contacted by Republika on Tuesday (5/5/2026). According to Astrid, some survivors may even experience distortions in their understanding of what is considered normal. When violence occurs continuously without protection, children can experience deep confusion regarding boundaries, truth, and their self-worth. Therefore, trauma handling for victims cannot be done simply or instantly. According to her, a comprehensive approach is needed, one of which is ensuring a firm legal process against the perpetrators. “It is important for the perpetrators to face legal consequences. This sends a strong message that the larger system protects the victims. If not, survivors may feel that seeking help is futile, and this worsens the psychological wounds,” said Astrid. In addition, every victim needs to undergo a thorough assessment, covering psychological, physical conditions, and family support. Long-term psychological accompaniment is also key, given that the trauma recovery process can take years and requires periodic monitoring. “The role of the family and immediate environment is also very important. They need to receive education so they can accompany the victims without blaming, while becoming a source of safety for the child,” said Astrid. She emphasises that the root of the problem in this case does not lie in religious teachings, but rather in the misuse of power relations by individuals. Religious figures who hold high social positions are often seen as unquestionable authorities, making children more vulnerable to submission. In some cases, perpetrators may also misuse religious language or doctrine to justify actions, confuse victims, and even make victims feel that what happened is God’s will. “Children and adolescents, who are still in the developmental stage, do not yet have the full capacity to critically analyse such things. As a result, they are easily trapped in manipulation and feel afraid or ashamed to speak out,” said Astrid.