TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Eleven young girls studying at an Islamic boarding school in East Beji, Depok, allegedly fell victim to sexual violence committed by four ustads and one of their seniors. The abuse is said to have been going on for a year but was only revealed a week ago.

Megawati, the victims' attorney, said that during the school holiday the girls told their parents about what happened. The parents have since taken them home.

Megawati also said that only five of the 11 girls filed a police report, and they have been interviewed by the Metro Police.

"Of the 11 girls who were abused, five have the courage to speak up. So far only three of them have been approached by the police because one is sick," Megawati said at the Metro Police Station, Wednesday, June 29.

Mega said she had listened to the victims' accounts of what happened directly, and immediately filed a police report together with the girls' parents.

"The Metro Police developed the case and a medical check was conducted, but the results have not been released. We are waiting for the medical report because the girls were hurt, injured.

Mega said that according to the girl's account, their abusers threatened them and committed the crime against them in the pesantren building's empty rooms or the bathroom.

The police suspect that there are more victims of this crime, not just the 11 girls.

NIKEN NURCAHYANI

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