Indonesian pesantren face rising concerns over sexual abuse and bullying

Indonesia Youth Awakening Center (IYAC) chief Priyo Pamungkas Kustiadi warned that sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools is eroding public trust. Data from the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network showed 573 cases of violence in the education sector in 2024, with 20‑36 % occurring in religious‑based institutions such as pesantren. Victims often struggle to report abuse, face social pressure to conceal it, and experience delayed legal action, as illustrated by a Central Java case that took two years to reach authorities.

At a Nahdlatul Ulama leadership training event in Cirebon, West Java, religious figure Gus Miftah called for pesantren to become safe spaces free from bullying, verbal aggression, gadget addiction and online gambling. He highlighted the growing digital challenges that threaten youths’ mental health and character development, urging stronger safeguards for santri.

Both advocates stress the need for stronger oversight, protective systems and public accountability to restore confidence in pesantren as moral and educational institutions.