What is Known About the Alleged Child Grooming Incident at a School in Tangsel

The headteacher of a private vocational school (SMK) in Pamulang, South Tangerang (Tangsel), is suspected of engaging in child grooming. Female students who lack paternal attention, or are ‘fatherless’, are said to be the targets.

For information, the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) defines child grooming as a form of gender-based violence that targets children, especially girls, through unequal power dynamics, emotional manipulation, and the normalisation of sexual behaviour.

The pattern of child grooming generally emerges through the perpetrator’s strategy of positioning themselves as a close friend and confidant, giving gifts and excessive validation, gradually normalising sexual behaviour, asking for the relationship to be kept secret to isolate the child from their support network, manipulating feelings of guilt and fear, and ultimately resorting to threats and sexual coercion to ensure the victim continues to comply with their wishes.

The perpetrator employs a specific approach.

The alleged psychological manipulation of children, or child grooming, by the headteacher of the private SMK, has gone viral on social media. The school has also responded to the allegations.

In a viral post on several anonymous accounts, it was revealed that the headteacher allegedly used a specific approach towards female students who lacked paternal attention. The incident is said to have occurred repeatedly.

The headteacher has been suspended.

The headteacher has now been suspended from his position. The school is also conducting an investigation.

‘The foundation, together with the school management, has taken responsive steps. The suspension of the position is to uphold transparency and facilitate the investigation process. Currently, the individual has been temporarily suspended from his position until the internal examination process is fully completed,’ wrote the Instagram account @letrispamulangofficial, as seen on Friday (15 May 2026).

The foundation then formed a team to investigate the facts. The school is committed to resolving the issue fairly and in accordance with the law.

‘Our main focus now is to ensure that the learning environment remains safe and conducive for all students,’ it said.