Miss Universe Indonesia Finalists' Attorney Consults LPSK for Alleged Sexual Harassment Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The attorney for Miss Universe Indonesia finalists, Mellisa Anggraini, claimed to have consulted the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) about the alleged sexual harassment received by her clients.

"(I consulted about) the possible outcome for the victims. The worst-case scenarios, such as bullying, victim blaming, and counterclaims," said Mellisa in the Metro Jaya police department on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

According to Mellisa, the discussion with LPSK was generally about victim protection. She claimed to ask the agency for what kind of protection sexual harassment victims receive and in what form the protection will be implemented.

The alleged sexual harassment took place on August 1, 2023, in the ballroom of Sari Pacific Hotel, Jakarta. The victims were asked to strip naked for a body check with no previous notice. 

According to Mellisa, 7 out of the 30 people who experienced the situation have asked Mellisa to represent them. "They all want to speak up, but we are all aware it's not as easy for harassment victims to do that," she said.

Mellisa said that the victims were close to crying when asked to strip. However, she does not know presently if there were finalists who refused the instruction.

Mellisa also criticized the body-checking procedures. She said that the organizers ought to have a formal procedure and conducted it in a private room.

"Body checking is quite common in the beauty sector but do remember that it should be by consent (of the participants) and based on existing regulations," she concluded.

M. FAIZ ZAKI

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