Educating in Fear: Sexual Violence in Schools and the Failure of Child Protection from a Gender-inclusive Perspective

Schools are ideally intended as safe environments for children’s holistic development, intellectually, emotionally, and socially. However, in Indonesia, they have become increasingly vulnerable spaces for sexual violence against girls who are often silenced in order to preserve institutional reputation. This article used qualitative case study methods in West Sumatra, Indonesia, focusing on the Minangkabau socio-cultural context. Data collection included document analysis (news and social media), and interviews with teachers and school task force members. Thematic analysis was used, complemented by feminist intersectional theory to examine power, gender, and institutional dynamics. Findings reveal that sexual violence in schools occurs in the following forms: verbal harassment, unwanted contact, coercion, and digital abuse. Perpetrators have authority over the victims, who often experience prolonged abuse before disclosure. Cases often come to light after a long time, resulting in repeated violence. Schools tend to close cases and try to reconcile with the victims. In some cases, parents have had the courage to report the matter to the police, and the incidents have gone viral on social media. The violence suppresses girls’ voices and undermines the emancipatory promise of education. The efforts taken against this phenomenon include strengthening the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Educational Settings (PPKSP) units, establishing child-centered standard operating procedures (SOPs), providing gender-sensitivity training, integrating age-appropriate gender education, and enhancing monitoring and response systems.