JustUpdateOnline.com – Jakarta, A series of recent scandals involving male students at some of Indonesia’s most prestigious higher education institutions has ignited a national conversation regarding the safety of women in digital spaces and the deep-seated psychological trauma caused by online sexual harassment.
The controversy began when 16 law students at the University of Indonesia (UI) were handed suspensions in April 2026. The disciplinary action followed the leak of a private group chat containing explicit remarks, the objectification of female peers, and vulgar comments directed at at least 20 students and seven faculty members. Similar incidents soon followed at other top-tier schools. At the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), 16 students faced sanctions after a musical performance featuring a song titled "Erika" went viral; the lyrics were condemned for using derogatory language and sexualizing women. Additionally, the IPB University (IPB) recently penalized 16 students for their involvement in a messaging group where women were "rated" based on their physical appearance.
These incidents highlight a disturbing trend. Data from the Education Monitoring Network of Indonesia (JPPI) indicates a sharp rise in violence within academic environments, with sexual harassment accounting for nearly half of the reported cases. Reports jumped from 285 incidents in 2023 to over 640 by 2025, suggesting a growing crisis that extends far beyond individual campuses.
The Lasting Scars of Cyber-Objectification
For many victims, the impact of such "digital banter" is far from temporary. Experts warn that being targeted in these online spaces can lead to lifelong psychological struggles. One survivor, identified by the pseudonym Neca, shared her experience of being groomed and harassed by a peer via social media starting at age 14. After her private messages were leaked and she was pressured into sending suggestive photos, the subsequent bullying led her to self-harm.
“I blamed myself constantly,” Neca recalled. Even years later, as a 22-year-old graduate, she struggles with trust and severe anxiety in romantic relationships.
Clinical psychologists, including Catarina Asthi Dwi Jayanti, point out that verbal objectification often leads to "internalized objectification." Victims may begin to view themselves solely through a sexual lens, leading to body dysmorphic disorder, chronic perfectionism, and a desperate need for external validation. Reynitta Poerwito, another clinical psychologist, noted that survivors frequently suffer from sleep disturbances, social withdrawal, and a diminished ability to set personal boundaries.
Toxic Masculinity and the "Digital Illusion"
The root of this behavior often lies in a concept known as "toxic masculinity." Nur Hasyim, a founder of the New Men’s Alliance (Aliansi Laki-Laki Baru), explains that these group chats create a "groupthink" environment where men feel superior and view women—even those in positions of authority like professors—merely as sexual objects.
Digital platforms exacerbate this by providing a sense of anonymity or privacy. Activist Tunggal Pawestri noted that perpetrators often operate under the illusion that online actions do not carry the same weight as physical ones. “In reality, the malice and the degradation are exactly the same,” she stated, adding that society’s tendency to dismiss verbal abuse because it lacks physical bruising only further silences victims.
Regional Responses and Legal Frameworks
Indonesia’s 2022 Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS) was designed to address these issues, offering prison sentences of up to six years and heavy fines for electronic-based sexual violence. However, implementation remains a challenge.
The issue is not unique to Indonesia. Across Southeast Asia, nations are grappling with similar surges in tech-facilitated gender-based violence:
- Malaysia: Recently established an anti-sexual harassment tribunal to provide victims with a streamlined legal path without the need for expensive lawyers.
- Thailand: Introduced new laws in late 2025 that criminalize online harassment and implemented a "Take It Down" system to rapidly remove offensive content.
- Philippines: Moving to amend the Safe Spaces Act to better cover digital platforms and protect interns and trainees.
- Vietnam: While still lacking specific laws for online harassment, the government recently launched a five-year national program to expand victim support services.
A Call for Systemic Change
Experts argue that legal punishment alone is insufficient. Systemic reform within the education sector is vital to dismantle the structures that perpetuate gender inequality.
Tunggal Pawestri emphasizes the need for "male allyship," urging men to speak out against their peers’ behavior rather than remaining silent bystanders. "If you don’t speak up, you are essentially an enabler," she warned.
Furthermore, educational institutions are being urged to adopt a zero-tolerance policy. Proponents of reform suggest that gender equality and ethics should be integrated into the curriculum from as early as middle school, ensuring that students understand the gravity of digital respect long before they reach university. For survivors like Neca, the hope is that by bringing these "hidden" group chats into the light, the culture of silence will finally begin to break.