Yogyakarta, April 4, 2024 – In a significant step towards creating safer educational environments, the Directorate of Human Resources at Universitas Gadjah Mada (DSDM UGM) hosted an extensive training session on Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling (PPKS) on April 4, 2024. The event saw participation from representatives of 20 universities across Indonesia, underscoring the urgent and widespread need to address sexual violence within academic settings.
The training session opened with a compelling address by Prof. Suadi, S.Pi., M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., Director of Human Resources at UGM. “Understanding and addressing sexual violence is crucial for universities, as they are environments highly vulnerable to these issues. UGM has issued Rector’s Regulation No. 1/2023, which aligns with the Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology No. 30 of 2021 on the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Institutions,” Prof. Suadi remarked. He emphasized that the regulation is a testament to UGM’s commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive campus environment.
The first presentation was delivered by Prof. Dra. Raden Ajeng Yayi Suryo Prabandari, M.Si., Ph.D., Chair of the Health Promoting University (HPU) at UGM. She detailed the various forms of sexual violence and strategies for prevention within higher education institutions. “Different forms of sexual violence have been meticulously outlined in Rector’s Regulation No. 1/2023 and the Ministerial Regulation No. 30 of 2021. Since September 4, 2022, UGM has established a dedicated Task Force (Satgas) for PPKS, which functions as the epicenter for preventing and addressing sexual violence,” Prof. Prabandari explained.
The Satgas PPKS operates on three primary fronts: education and prevention, handling and reporting, and monitoring and evaluation. UGM’s initiative also includes the development of the HPU, reflecting the university’s broader commitment to the health and well-being of its academic community. Prof. Prabandari stressed that preventing sexual violence on campus is crucial to creating a safe, peaceful, healthy, and supportive learning environment. Regular dissemination of PPKS guidelines to students, educators, administrative staff, and campus residents forms a key part of these preventive efforts.
Following Prof. Prabandari’s insights, Sri Wiyanti Eddyono, S.H., LL.M.(HR)., Ph.D., Chair of the Satgas PPKS at UGM, delved into the mechanisms for handling sexual violence based on national policy. She outlined the procedural steps dictated by Ministerial Regulation No. 30 of 2021, including the reception of reports, conducting closed examinations, drafting conclusions and recommendations, and implementing recovery measures alongside preventative steps to avoid recurrence.
“Resolving cases of sexual violence is not an easy task. At UGM, almost 70% of cases require communication with other involved parties to reach a resolution,” noted Sri Wiyanti Eddyono. Her presentation highlighted the complexities and sensitivities involved in handling such cases, underscoring the need for comprehensive policies and collaborative efforts.
One of the training participants, Rahayu Lestari from the Satgas PPKS at Universitas Lampung, expressed her appreciation for the training. “This training provides an invaluable opportunity to share experiences regarding the steps UGM has taken in handling sexual violence, including cases involving disabled victims and online-based sexual violence,” she shared. The session facilitated a rich exchange of ideas and strategies among the participating universities, fostering a collaborative approach to addressing sexual violence in academic settings.
The training on Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling marks a significant step in UGM’s ongoing efforts to create a safer academic environment. By equipping university representatives with the knowledge and tools needed to address sexual violence, UGM aims to foster a culture of inclusivity and respect across Indonesia’s higher education institutions.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Sustainable Development Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). It reflects a commitment to not only providing high-quality education but also ensuring that educational institutions are safe and supportive spaces for all members of the academic community. (HR/Rista)
