West Nusa Tenggara boarding schools report 23 sexual violence cases

The Child Protection Agency (LPA) of Mataram City has identified 23 cases of sexual violence occurring within Islamic boarding schools (pondok pesantren) in West Nusa Tenggara since 2023. These cases have affected hundreds of students, primarily aged between 13 and 18 years old.

Specific incidents include a case in Sumbawa involving 29 female students and another in East Lombok with 41 victims. In Sekarbela, the LPA is currently assisting 23 victims from a single case. The reported abuse ranges from molestation to sexual intercourse.

Legal proceedings have faced significant hurdles. In one case in Central Lombok, the suspect, identified as a leader of the Nurabakti Foundation at the Walyatalattof boarding school, allegedly took a student to a hotel for sexual assault and has since fled to Mecca. In Sumbawa, a suspect was released on suspension after serving nearly 120 days of detention. The LPA is continuing efforts to track the whereabouts of fugitives and provide support to the victims.