Indonesia Islamic school abuse scandal spurs Catholic schools to tighten safeguards

A child sexual abuse scandal at the Ndholo Kusumo Islamic boarding school in Central Java led to the school's closure and the arrest of its head cleric, Ashari, accused of abusing dozens of girls over several years. The Religious Affairs Ministry ordered the shutdown in early May, and protests by hundreds of residents demanded justice. Victim reports indicate 30 to 50 girls were abused, many from low‑income families, and a new police complaint has revived the investigation.

Catholic Church leaders in Surabaya, including Father A. Kurdo Irianto, said the case highlights the need for stronger monitoring and child‑friendly regulations in Catholic schools. They urged a review of existing safeguards to prevent similar abuse, noting that religious authority and weak oversight contributed to the tragedy. A rights activist cited dozens of similar cases in Islamic educational institutions, underscoring a broader problem of insufficient accountability.

The incident has prompted calls across Indonesia’s faith‑based schools to reinforce protection measures for students.