en.malanginspirasi.com – Minister of Youth and Sports (Menpora) Erick Thohir affirmed strict systems in protecting all athletes from misconduct.
He referred to the alleged sexual violance committed by a former official of the Indonesian Shooting Association (Perbakin) against a 15-year-old shooting athlete from East Java.
He emphasized that this act constitutes a serious crime that violates human values and undermines the integrity of the world of sport.
According to Erick, sport should be a safe and comfortable space that supports the development of athletes’ potential to achieve success.
Therefore, all forms of violence and sexual harassment should not be tolerated, especially when the victim is a minor who has the right to special protection.
“The case of sexual harassment against one of our young athletes truly violates human values and harms the world of sport, which should be a safe and comfortable space for athletes to develop their potential,” said Erick in an official statement in Jakarta, Wednesday, June 24th.
Serious Concern for All National Sports Stakeholders
Thohir emphasized that all sports professionals have a moral responsibility to reject all forms of sexual violence. He believes that the case involving the young athlete should be a serious concern for all national sports stakeholders.
According to him , the world of sports is not just an arena for competition and achievement development, but also an environment that must guarantee the safety, dignity, and rights of every athlete.
Therefore, any actions that threaten an athlete’s safety must be dealt with firmly in accordance with applicable laws.
“We are not only athletes, but also human beings who strongly condemn all forms of sexual harassment. In this case, the victim is a minor who should receive full protection,” he stressed.
Menpora also expressed his appreciation to the police for their swift and professional action in handling the case, ultimately leading to the suspect’s arrest.
He emphasized that the legal process must be transparent and firm to provide a sense of justice to the victim and her family.
Strong law enforcement, Thohir said, is crucial to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable for his actions and to provide a deterrent effect to prevent similar cases from occurring again.
“I fully support the police’s efforts to uphold the law and thoroughly investigate this case. Strict law enforcement is crucial to provide justice to the victim and to provide a deterrent effect to the perpetrator and any other parties who may potentially commit similar acts,” he said.
Appropriate Punishment for Perpetrator
Furthermore, the Minister of Youth and Sports hopes that the perpetrator will receive appropriate punishment if proven guilty based on a legally binding court decision. He also emphasized that individuals found guilty of sexual harassment are no longer eligible to participate in sports development activities in Indonesia.
Sports organizations must ensure that all administrators, coaches, assistants, and support staff have integrity and are committed to protecting athletes, said Thohir.
“If proven guilty through a legally binding legal process, I hope the perpetrator receives appropriate punishment. Furthermore, the perpetrator should no longer be allowed to participate in coaching, mentoring, or any other activities within the sports environment,” he said.
On that occasion, the Minister also emphasized that Kemenpora stands with the victim and will continue to provide support for the necessary protection and recovery efforts.
He stated that the victim and her family must receive adequate support to optimally navigate the legal process and recovery.
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“We will always be with the victim. The Ministry of Youth and Sports provides full support to the victim and her family to remain strong through the process. The victim’s rights must be protected and fulfilled, including aspects of support and recovery,” said Erick.
Kemenpora, he continued, will continue to coordinate with various relevant parties to monitor the progress of the case. This step is being taken to ensure the legal process runs smoothly and provides maximum protection to the victim.
The case also serves as an important opportunity to evaluate the athlete protection system in Indonesia.
According to Erick, the success of sports development is not only measured by achievements, but also by the ability to create a safe environment and respect athletes’ rights.
He called on all sports organizations, coaches, administrators, parents, and the community to work together to build a sports culture with integrity and free from all forms of violence.
“This case must not happen again. We build safe sports culture, imbued with integrity, and free from all forms of violence and sexual harassment. Every athlete has the right to protection and a sense of security during their training and competition,” he concluded.
