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'Big step’: Students, lecturers laud decree to fight sexual violence on campuses
The regulation stipulates that higher education institutions across the country are obliged to have a clear mechanism, including a special task force, on addressing allegations of sexual violence.
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Sex abuse on campus, NamaBaikKampus (JP/Budhi Button)
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tudents and lecturers have lauded the promulgation of a ministerial regulation that will serve as a guideline for universities in preventing and handling cases of sexual violence, calling it a “big step” to make campuses safer for everyone.
The regulation, signed by Education, Culture, Research and Technology Minister Nadiem Makarim on Aug. 31 but made public only last week, stipulates that higher education institutions across the country are obliged to have a clear mechanism, including a special task force, on addressing allegations of sexual violence.
“This is a big step in the fight to eradicate sexual violence on campuses, as well as for the cause in general. This is the only legal tool from the victim's perspective. I really do hope that after this, we can immediately pass the sexual violence eradication bill [RUU PKS],” said Charlenne Kayla, a student at National Multimedia University (UMN).
Sexist jokes and catcalling
The regulation has provided a wider definition of sexual violence. It defines sexual violence as verbal, non-physical and physical sexual assault, as well as assault through information and communication technology. Punishable actions include sexually charged jokes, catcalls, whistles and leering.
These behaviors are frequently overlooked in the spectrum of sexual misconduct or normalized as jokes or compliments.
