Indonesian Schools Grapple with Widespread Sexual Violence and Harassment
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Indonesian Schools Grapple with Widespread Sexual Violence and Harassment
- A 2020 survey by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture revealed that 77% of lecturers believed sexual violence occurred on their campuses.
- In response to a "critical emergency," Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim signed a regulation in November 2021 to establish task forces on campuses to address sexual harassment and violence.
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Sexual violence and harassment remain a significant concern within Indonesia’s educational institutions, affecting both students and teachers. A 2020 survey indicated that 77% of Indonesian lecturers believed sexual violence had occurred on their respective campuses, with 63% of these cases going unreported to preserve the institution’s reputation.
The issue has been recognized as a “critical emergency” by Education and Culture Minister Nadiem Makarim, who in November 2021, enacted a regulation to establish task forces on campuses. These units are mandated to address various forms of sexual violence, including verbal, non-physical, and online actions, with a requirement for a majority of women members among lecturers and students.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist. In May 2026, an Islamic boarding school in Central Java was shut down following allegations of mass sexual abuse against its founder, involving 30 to 50 female teenage students. This case highlights a broader problem, particularly in Islamic boarding schools, where authority figures may exploit power imbalances. The Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has urged educational institutions to create sexual violence task forces to protect victims.
Female teachers are particularly vulnerable to gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, and violence within their workplaces, as noted by Komnas Perempuan in October 2025. The Federation of Indonesian Teachers’ Unions (FSGI) recorded 101 victims of sexual violence in educational units between January and August 2024, with teachers and school leaders among the perpetrators. These incidents are often described as an “iceberg phenomenon,” indicating that many cases go unreported.
Recent legislative developments include a sexual violence reform bill passed in April 2022, which expands the definition of rape to include marital rape and recognizes men and boys as victims. This reform aims to facilitate prosecution and provide support for victims. However, civil society organizations continue to advocate for stronger implementation and monitoring of anti-violence policies to ensure safe learning environments across Indonesia.