UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR), one of the best state universities in Indonesia, has formed a Task Force for Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS). As a follow-up activity, dissemination was held regarding the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology Regulation (Permendikbud Ristek) Number 30 of 2021 to leaderships of UNAIR.
The activity was held on Thursday, January 5, 2023, in Room 301 Kahuripan Building, MERR C Campus. Attending the event were the Head and Secretary of the Academic Senate, rector, vice-rectors, university secretary, deans, directors, and heads of work units at UNAIR.
Regulations on sexual violence
In this activity, the Head of UNAIR PPKS Task Force, Prof. Myrtati Dyah Artaria Dra MA PhD started the dissemination by explaining the regulations that address sexual violence issues.
“It’s in Permendikbud Ristek Number 30 of 2021, Law Number 12 of 2021, the Criminal Code, Permenag Number 73 of 2022, Law Number 35 of 2014, and Law Number 23 of 2004,” she explained.
Sexual violence in UNAIR
Furthermore, Prof Myrta also explained various types of sexual violence that had occurred, from catcalling to rape. “However, this sexual violence is often wrongly responded to by some parties. For example, by making it reasonable to corner the victim for the occurrence of sexual violence,” she explained.
Some responses that put victims of sexual violence into a corner include blaming the victim for not resisting, screaming, or running away. They also blamed the victim, who did not immediately post a post-mortem or report it. Many also criticized the victim’s clothing when sexual violence occurred and blamed the victim.
These responses are one of the reasons for the small number of sexual violence reports.
“Furthermore, the trauma experienced by the victim to the point of causing fear of the perp is also the reason (the small number of reports of sexual violence, ed). Moreover, the perpetrator sometimes looks like someone good and pious in public opinion,” explained Prof. Myrta
Tonic immobility
Prof Myrta explained that victims of sexual violence were often blamed for not fighting back, screaming or running away when they experienced sexual violence. In fact, when sexual violence occurs, the victim usually experiences tonic immobility.
“Tonic immobility is a state of being rigid and immobile in response to fear or the victim being unable to think clearly,” she explained.
Report to UNAIR PPKS Task Force
Furthermore, Prof Myrta explained the flow of reporting sexual violence to the UNAIR PPKS Task Force. First, a meeting session with the victim, the alleged party, and witnesses involving a psychologist or psychiatrist. Second, consideration of follow-up actions in the form of recommendations and conclusions to UNAIR Rector. Third, a decision was issued by the Rector of UNAIR and the implementation of the decision.
Finally, Prof. Myrta corrected the wrong assumptions that victims of sexual violence often have with UNAIR PPKS Task Force. “For example, the victim will be given a negative assessment or blamed, the victim cannot be accompanied by someone they trust until the UNAIR PPKS Task Force will give sanctions just like that without considering the victim’s opinion. Those are wrong assumptions,” she explained. (*)
Author: Tristania Faisa Adam
Editor : Binti Q. Masruroh
