The most challenging of sexual violence cases on campus was victims unwilling to make a report. The most reasons were victims felt unsafe or didn’t know how or where to make a report.
In 2020 – 2023, LSF received 145 sexual violence complaint cases and decided to publish annual report. The categories of the cases were online gender-based violence (45); physical and non-physical sexual violence (57), attempted rape (3), forced abortion (3), and dating violence (38). In addition, LSF also got 21 complaint reports of domestic violence.
Based on the number of complaints, it significantly increased to 45.7% in 2021 – 2023. The success of collected data pushed by the establishment of the regulation of Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology No 30/2021 concerning the prevention and handling of sexual violence in universities.
Eva Nurchayani, as LSF coordinator indicated that only some universities and organization that has Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). Beside that, task force to handle sexual violence on campus. It made victim accompaniment still become a challenge.
“Neglect using the victim’s perspective only creates a traumatic experience for victims. Especially if they need to do a repetitive reporting process. Furthermore, sexist jokes have already become a culture among university students. It is associated with fewer campaigns at the internal level of the university about reporting sexual violence,” Eva stated.
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In the middle of October 2023, the launching of annual report was held in Serpong, South Tangerang. The theme is “Menyalakan Keberanian, Menciptakan Kampus Aman dari Kekerasan Seksual” – Burning the spirit to create a safe campus from sexual violence.
This event attended by Eva Nurchayani (LSF coordinator), Bahrul Faud (The National Commission on Violence Against Women (KOMNAS Perempuan) commissioner), and Indra Budi Setiawan (member of Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology team sexual violence task force).
In addition, other participants were Restu Wicaksono as sexual violence task force from Muhammadiyah University, Tangerang; Anis Fazirotul Muhtar as alumna from gender responsive policy advocacy class. He became discussant.
Resolution in Sexual Violence Cases on Campus
From 2020 to August 2023, litigation and non-litigation services were common suggestions to solve sexual violence cases on campus. Data in LSF showed that 49 cases were reported to the police, 12 went to court, and one went to an attorney from litigation reports.
For cases non-litigation, 6 cases got consultation and 25 cases referred to Yayasan Pulih to get psychology consultation. In addition, 11 cases got administration consequences by the sexual violence task force at the university level, 5 cases got into regulation advocacy, 27 cases referred to digital organizations which were SAFEnet and Purple Code, 6 cases went to case monitoring and 3 cases were under investigation.
In addition, many police officers were still ignorant of the regulations to solve sexual violence cases. Furthermore, victim blaming behavior still became a common reaction in handling cases.
“Usually, police officers use law on pornography, law on electronic information and transactions, and the criminal code of Indonesia to follow up cases. It should be using the law on sexual violence crime and handle by specific criminal directorate instead of general criminal directorate to handle sexual violence cases” Eva Nurchayani explained.
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Bahru Fuad also agreed to it as KOMNAS Perempuan commissioner. Next, he appreciated the first annual report by LSF as concrete step to be submitted to The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR).
“Annual report by LSF similar with annual report by KOMNAS Perempuan about online gender-based violence. But, the existence of this report shows that cyber-security education still low. Young people rarely pay attention to sexual violence literacy in digital media. It needs to become our intention to increase their awareness of digital media.” Bahrul Fuad said during his session.
Indra Budi Setiawan said it was difficult to encourage victims to report. They usually felt unsafe or didn’t know how to put in their report. The number of reports were still limited. Most victims felt worried that their report would not be followed up until they got solutions.
“Every time I become speaker in university, I try to erase a stigma about whether reporting means lost dignity. It should be appreciated. It means SOP is running and resolution in sexual violence by Sexual Harassment Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS) is effective. In addition, it shows that university run their system well” Indra stated.
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Restu Wicaksono narrated about the form of Satgas PPKS in Muhammadiyah University, Tangerang. Initially, the rectorate declined their idea and recommended they work underground. After they were established, students still distrusted their effort.
On the other hand, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Anis Fazirotul Muhtar stated, Center for Gender and Child Study at their place still focused on research. Moreover, they said that SOP only generated by rector and lecturers but not students.
“We recommend programme of study and faculty to have gender education as a subject. They enthusiastic and will discuss it on the next meeting. Next, I also recommend bringing up issues about gender, SOP, and task force during introduction of academic culture and university” Anis stated.
(Translated by Theresia)
