Indonesia investigates police officer abuse case and pesantren sexual assault

Police investigators in West Nusa Tenggara have upgraded the handling of an alleged sexual abuse case involving a member of the regional police force to the investigation stage. The suspect, identified as a police IT officer, is accused of raping a female student who was staying in a boarding house in Ampenan. The victim reported verbal threats and sexual violence, and earlier attempts at mediation and a proposed marriage were abandoned after further allegations emerged. Authorities are gathering additional evidence before deciding on formal charges.

Following a series of sexual assault scandals in Indonesian pesantren, the National Commission for Child Protection (KPAI) issued a set of recommendations to break the cycle of abuse. KPAI called for a nationwide assessment covering education, health and mental‑health sectors, early detection of physical and psychological issues among students, proactive victim support, stricter oversight of pesantren management, greater parental involvement, and the passage of a Child Care Bill to establish binding protection standards.