Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – A student identified as RS (19 years old) has filed a report with the South Sumatra Regional Police (Polda Sumsel) against the dormitory head at the State Islamic University (UIN) Raden Fatah Palembang, identified as PA (20 years old), on Monday, October 23, 2023. RS revealed that he had been a victim of sexual harassment that had persisted for four months, from February to June 2023.
The incident began in early February 2023 when RS was sleeping in his dormitory. Feeling too warm, RS decided to sleep in front of PA’s room due to the larger fan. At around 01:00 in the early morning, PA woke RS up, with his hand reaching into RS’s pants. RS felt disturbed and uncomfortable with this act. According to RS, such harassment occurred approximately five times until June 2023, each time PA would wake up RS who was sleeping.
RS decided to record some of these incidents as evidence. He set an alarm on his phone to avoid PA’s actions and recorded the perpetrator’s actions during harassment. As a result of this harassment, RS experienced trauma and decided not to live in the campus dormitory anymore.
In September 2023, the university summoned RS and revoked his Bidik Misi KIP scholarship because he was no longer living in the dormitory. Mardhiyah SH, RS’s legal representative, stated that they had attempted mediation with the university but did not receive a satisfactory response.
Mardhiyah emphasized that this case is a suspected indecency offense under Article 289 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). The case has garnered attention as RS is a scholarship recipient under the Bidik Misi KIP program, which obligates students to live in the campus dormitory. The sexual harassment incident by the dormitory head has led to RS losing his scholarship and experiencing trauma.
RS’s legal representation hopes that the South Sumatra Regional Police can take appropriate action in handling this case and ensure that justice is served, addressing the wrongdoing in the education sector. This case raises critical concerns about the protection and safety of students living in campus dormitories.
The South Sumatra Regional Police will soon initiate further investigations to ensure justice is upheld and the victim receives appropriate protection.