Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Arifah Fauzi called on higher education institutions to optimize the role of their task forces for violence prevention and handling to foster a safe learning environment.
"Higher education institutions hold the responsibility to create a safe, comfortable, and inclusive environment for learning free from violence. The presence of anti-violence task forces on campuses is expected to help realize a safe learning environment," she said.
Fauzi made the remarks during the Rector’s Expressions Chapter 3 event, themed “History and Culture as Routes to Civilization and Potential Energy for the Nation,” at Surabaya State University in East Java.
In her speech, the minister urged universities nationwide to ensure accessible mechanisms for reporting violence cases, protect the identity of victims and witnesses, and provide comprehensive assistance and protection services.
She urged campuses to take greater proactive measures in response to the persistently high number of violence cases involving women and children, an alarming trend that extends to educational premises.
Citing the 2024 National Women’s Life Experience Survey (SPHPN), Fauzi noted that one in four women aged 15-64 has experienced physical violence or sexual abuse.
She added that a similar survey targeting children and adolescents the same year found one in two residents aged 13-17 had suffered physical, emotional, or sexual offenses.
Meanwhile, a 2020 survey by the Directorate General of Higher Education suggested that around 77 percent of lecturers had confirmed sexual violence incidents on campus, with 63 percent of cases going unreported.
"Violence on campus typically goes unreported because victims are afraid, ashamed, or entangled in unbalanced power relations," Fauzi explained.
Bearing that in mind, she urged universities to assure victims of reliable protection systems and guarantee safe reporting channels.
Editor : Vicki Febrianto
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