RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The normalization of gender-based violence within Indonesian academic institutions has come under intense scrutiny as digital harassment cases increasingly masquerade as harmless social interactions. Experts warn that the subtle nature of electronic-based sexual violence is creating a dangerous blind spot in campus environments, where serious offenses are frequently dismissed as mere jokes.

During a Public Consultation for the 2025 Annual Report in Jakarta on Monday, April 20, 2026, National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Chairperson, Maria Ulfah Anshor, highlighted how recent high-profile cases have peeled back the layers of a deeply rooted systemic issue.

She noted that modern violence has not necessarily changed its core intent but has evolved into more sophisticated, elusive forms that are easier for the public to ignore.

"The alleged electronic-based sexual violence in educational environments acts like opening a curtain. It shows that violence has not only changed form but has also become more subtle, harder to recognize, and therefore easier to normalize," said Maria Ulfah Anshor, as quoted by Antara.

She expressed deep regret over the prevailing social tendency to categorize harassment as harmless banter, stressing that the Law on Sexual Violence Crimes (UU TPKS) provides no such leniency.

"The mandate of the UU TPKS clearly classifies such actions as a form of gender-based sexual violence. This includes the category of online sexual violence as strictly defined in the regulation," she added.

The Commission has pledged to maintain rigorous oversight of ongoing investigations within universities, specifically referencing recent allegations at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Law. This push for institutional accountability is being echoed by the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, which identifies public perception as the primary hurdle in securing justice for victims.

Minister Arifah Fauzi emphasized that the battle against sexual violence begins with a fundamental shift in how society defines harm. She argues that the public must be trained to recognize non-physical threats, such as verbal and digital abuse, with the same gravity as physical assault.

According to Minister Arifah, correcting the "misguided perception" that views certain forms of violence as reasonable or trivial is a vital step in dismantling the culture of impunity that currently protects offenders in digital spaces. ***