Indonesia Faces Renewed Scrutiny Over Campus Sexual Violence as Viral Chat Logs Spark National Outcry
Recent leaks of sexually explicit group chats involving University of Indonesia (UI) law students have reignited national debate over the prevalence of sexual harassment and rape culture on Indonesian campuses. The conversations, which included vulgar remarks, objectification of female students and lecturers, and jokes about rape, prompted widespread condemnation and calls for accountability from students, faculty, and civil society groups.
The scandal emerged on April 12, 2026, when screenshots from WhatsApp and Line group chats were shared on social media platform X by an account named “sampahfhui” (“trash from UI law school”). The post quickly gained traction, amassing over 90,000 shares within days and triggering similar revelations from other universities across the country.
In response, UI launched an investigation through its Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force, verifying reports, summoning those involved, and gathering evidence. The university stated that every form of sexual violence—including verbal acts in digital or offline settings—constitutes a serious violation of its values, academic code, and prevailing laws. Disciplinary measures, including expulsion, may be imposed if violations are confirmed, and the case may be referred to law enforcement.
The Law Faculty conducted an internal review and summoned the students involved, even as the university’s student union, BEM UI, revoked the organisational membership of several students and demanded an ethics hearing. UI also pledged to provide psychological and legal assistance to victims while ensuring confidentiality.
Following the leaks, UI’s law school held a townhall-style forum where the 16 alleged members of the group chat were brought forward to apologise and face questioning from peers. Student organisations organised a forum on April 13 on UI’s Depok campus, where enraged students demanded accountability and urged the university to fully investigate all unresolved sexual violence cases.
Activists and officials have pointed to a broader cultural issue. Sondang Frishka Simanjuntak, a commissioner at the National Commission on Violence Against Women, noted that despite the 2022 anti-sexual violence law—which criminalised non-physical sexual harassment for the first time—there remains a tendency to normalise such behaviour. “So even though there are new regulations, there is still a tendency to normalise sexual harassment. It’s not seen as something serious,” she said.
The incident has drawn attention to similar cases at other institutions, with netizens reporting comparable incidents nationwide. Authorities have urged the public to respect the ongoing investigation and avoid spreading unverified information, with UI committing to provide transparent updates as the process unfolds.