Sex crimes at Islamic schools under spotlight as Indonesia mulls tougher laws
- Rape cases have in the past months been dominating Indonesian headlines, including incidents at Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren
- On top of limited laws against sexual violence, the high degree of respect accorded to religious teachers in Indonesia prevents victims from speaking out, observers say
Indonesia’s limited regulations against sexual violence have come under fresh spotlight after a rape case in religious boarding schools went viral, reigniting debate about the power that Islamic leaders bear in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
In another case, a West Java teacher at various pesantren, or Islamic boarding schools, was suspected to have raped and impregnated at least 13 students from 2016 to this year. At least nine babies were born to the victims, who ranged from 13 to 20 years old.
Herry Wirawan, the alleged rapist, is facing multiple charges under Child Protection Law, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years for each charge, although it can be extended to 20 years considering his profession as a teacher.
The West Java High Prosecutor’s Office is also considering chemical castration as one of Herry’s punishments, following demands from the victims’ families.
Herry, who is married with three children, claimed the babies were orphans and allegedly used them to elicit donations, said Diah Kurniasari Gunawan, head of the Integrated Service for Women’s Empowerment and Children of the West Java’s Garut District. At least 10 of the victims came from the district.
According to Diah, there were 21 rape victims in the case but only 12 were listed during the trial.