PPKS Task Force Holds National Seminar to Provide Insight into Handling Sexual Violence in Higher Education

Banjarmasin – Since the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 30 of 2021 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence in Higher Education Environments, Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) immediately formed a Task Force for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS) until it was officially established through a Rector’s Decree since 2022.

After running for more than 2 (two) years, the PPKS Task Force in collaboration with the Dharma Wanita Persatuan ULM held a National Seminar with the theme “The Dilemma of Handling Sexual Violence in Higher Education”. The activity was held on Thursday (12/9/2024) at the Lecture Theater General Building Banjarmasin.

Approximately 500 participants attended, ranging from members of the task force, practitioners/gender observers who handle cases of sexual violence, lecturers, to students from various levels of higher education. The event was also held online via livestream on the Lambung Mangkurat University Youtube channel.

This event presents 3 (three) speakers, namely Prof. Alimatul Qibtiyah, S.Ag., M.Sc., Ph.D as Commissioner of the Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women, Masrudi Muchtar, S.H., M.H as Dean of the Faculty of Law, Ahmad Yani University, Banjarmasin and Lena Hanifah, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D as Head of the Handling Division of the ULM PPKS Task Force. This seminar is expected to open insights about the importance of awareness of the prevention and handling of sexual violence that occurs around us.

Sexual violence is now receiving special attention after the issuance of Permendikbud No. 30 of 2021. Through this regulation, the Ministry of Education and Culture directs each university to take serious action against cases of sexual violence in the university environment by forming a PPKS task force and implementing its supporting programs.

This refers to the many cases of sexual violence that often occur with very diverse victims, ranging from children, teenagers, to adults. The university environment is also not free from media attention as one of the places that has the potential for cases of sexual violence.

Awareness of the importance of preventing and handling sexual violence is very necessary, not only at the institutional and community level, but also in each individual. Moreover, the possibility of becoming a victim of sexual violence can be experienced not only by women, but also by men. Sexual violence also has different levels.

The levels of sexual violence can be categorized based on the form and intensity, as well as the impact on the victim. Each type of sexual violence involves a violation of a person’s physical, emotional, and sexual integrity, and can vary in severity.

In addition, sexual harassment is also divided into several types. For example, Verbal Sexual Harassment is when someone makes inappropriate or disturbing sexual jokes or comments. Then there is also Non-Verbal Sexual Harassment which involves actions or gestures of a sexual nature without direct physical contact such as sensual gazes or expressions and sending indecent images or videos. Finally, Physical Sexual Harassment is characterized by unwanted physical actions, such as touching vital parts, groping, hugging and so on.

ULM is aware of the importance of preventing and handling sexual violence in the campus environment. Therefore, since it was officially formed in early 2022, the ULM PPKS Task Force has been actively receiving and serving complaints through the official website https://satgas-ppks.ulm.my.id/. Until this news was published, the PPKS Task Force has received 75 complaints and carried out 15 programs related to education on the prevention and handling of sexual violence. Through the formation of the PPKS Task Force, it is hoped that it can create a sense of security and protection in the Lambung Mangkurat University environment. “We hope that the ULM academic community can provide the best example through the task force’s role in providing education,” said ULM Vice Rector II in his remarks.