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Rape of ‘pesantren’ students triggers national soul-searching
Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Quomas has condemned the case, saying that his ministry would conduct a thorough investigation into all madrasahs and pesantren after concerns arose within the ministry that the case was just a tip of the iceberg.
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Reject violence: Activists stage a rally in front of the House of Representatives compound in Central Jakarta on Tuesday demanding the deliberation and passing of a bill on sexual violence eradication. The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has reported that violence against women increased by 75 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
T
he rape and impregnation of several students by a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) teacher has shocked the country, prompting calls for a national reckoning on rape culture.
Reports emerged last week that at least 13 teenage girls had allegedly been raped by a teacher in various pesantren in which he taught, including the Madani, Yayasan Manarul Huda and Pondok Tahfiz Al-Ikhlas schools.
At least nine babies have reportedly been born as a result of the rapes, according to Garut’s Care Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children (P2TP2A).
The suspected rapist, Herry Wiryawan, 36, who is currently on trial in Bandung District Court, faces multiple charges under the Child Protection Law, including rape and violence against children. These offenses carry a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
The crimes came to light when a student was seen by a neighbor buying a pregnancy test at a stall near her house during the Idul Fitri holiday. After being confronted by one of her parents, the girl detailed what had happened to her, prompting the parent to file a report with the police last May.
“Police then arrested the alleged sex offender at the location [Yayasan Manarul Huda] where at least 20 students were found,” Mary Silvita, an Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) politician who has been assisting the students in bringing the case into light, told The Jakarta Post. “The students were then brought to a safe house.”
The P2TP2A has been assisting the victims and the families. “All the parents were shocked when they found out what had happened to their daughters,” said Diah Kurniasari, chairwoman of Garut P2TP2A
