Cases of Sexual Violence Every Week in Schools

Recently, cases of child sexual violence are being discussed. Many cases have been revealed in various regions. The Federation of Indonesian Teachers' Unions (FSGI) noted that from January to May 2023, there were around 22 cases of sexual violence with 202 children victims in educational units. Both education units are under the Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Indonesia (Kemendikbudristek) and the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag).

The perpetrators of sexual violence are people who are supposed to respect and protect the students. FSGI noted that the most perpetrators were teachers (31.08%), followed by owners or leaders of Islamic boarding schools (18.20%), school principals (13.63%), and teachers of the Koran or informal education unit teachers (13.63%). Then there were dormitory or boarding school caregivers (4.5%), heads of madrasah (4.5%), school guards (4.5%), and others (9%).

One case of sexual violence occurs every week in schools in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) noted that in 2022 there were more than nine thousand cases of sexual violence, of which as many as 7% occurred in schools.

Illustration of a girl (source: pexels.com)

In response to this data, FSGI provides several recommendations for relevant ministries and agencies. One of them is by making changes to Permendikbudristek Number 82 of 2015 concerning Prevention and Response to Violence in Education Units, specifically detailing behaviors that include sexual violence in schools.

Perpetrators of sexual violence can be subject to criminal sanctions in accordance with Article 81 of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection. In addition, perpetrators may also be subject to administrative sanctions and/or disciplinary sanctions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

"FSGI encourages the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) to continue to socialize the Friends of Women and Children hotline (SAPA) 129 or Whatsapp 08111-129-129 to report sexual violence experienced and encourage the establishment of child-friendly schools," said Retno Listyarti, Chairman of the Expert Council of the Federation of Indonesian Teachers' Union (FSGI).