A sexual harassment case involving students from the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia (UI) has drawn public attention after screenshots of a group chat circulated widely on social media.
The case emerged after an individual uploaded evidence of conversations allegedly containing sexually explicit and harassing remarks. The messages were said to have been sent by several students and included elements of coercion and verbal harassment through electronic communication.
The circulation of the screenshots on platforms such as X and Instagram prompted reactions from the academic community and the public. The Faculty of Law acknowledged the issue in an official statement posted on its Instagram account on Monday, 14 April.
“On April 12, 2026, the Faculty received a report regarding an alleged violation of the code of ethics, potentially criminal, related to the activities of several students. Based on the report, the Faculty is aware of the circulation of screenshots of conversations allegedly involving students and containing inappropriate content, including indications of sexual violence,” the statement read.
Faculty Holds Hearing as Details of Chats Emerge
Following the circulation of the messages, students from the Faculty of Law held a public hearing to address the case. Although several individuals initially declined to attend, 16 students linked to the chat group were later present.
Footage of the hearing later appeared on social media, further increasing public scrutiny of the case.
Content from the chat showed alleged discussions of women’s bodies using inappropriate language. The individuals referenced in the messages were said to include fellow students, lecturers, and relatives.
Here is some of the content of the viral chat:
During the forum, one lecturer stated that she was unaware she had been mentioned in the conversation until she reviewed the material.
“When I saw the chat, I was shocked that my name was there,” she said, as reported by Tribun News.
In its statement, the Faculty of Law condemned the alleged behaviour and reaffirmed its position on maintaining academic ethics.
“The Faculty strongly condemns all forms of behaviour that demean human dignity and violate legal values and academic ethics,” the statement said.
University Suspends 16 Students Pending Investigation
The University of Indonesia has temporarily suspended 16 students from the Faculty of Law as part of its response to the case.
Erwin Agustian Panigoro, UI’s Director of Public, Media, Government, and International Relations, said the decision followed recommendations from the university’s Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPK).
“This recommendation is part of the next step to ensure the investigation process is carried out optimally, objectively, and fairly,” Erwin said on Wednesday, 16 April 2026, as quoted by Liputan6.
He added that the students would be suspended for a defined period while the investigation continues.
“UI has temporarily suspended 16 suspected students from academic activities for the period from April 15 to May 30, 2026,” he said.
Lihat postingan ini di Instagram
According to the university, the measure is administrative and aims to maintain the integrity of the investigation process while protecting all parties involved.
The Faculty also stated that it is conducting a careful verification process and will coordinate with relevant authorities if violations of criminal law are identified.
“Currently, the Faculty is conducting a serious, careful, and thorough investigation and verification. This process is being carried out with the highest regard for the principles of prudence and fairness,” the statement read.
The Faculty added that reporting channels and support services remain available for members of the academic community.
“We urge all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from disseminating unverified information, and respect the ongoing process,” the statement concluded.
