Religious Authority, Narrative Fiction, and Sexual Violence: Examining Coercive Modalities in Indonesian Pesantren

Jun 26, 2026

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Sexual violence against female santri (students) in Indonesian pesantren remains entrenched yet frequently silenced by patriarchal power and religious authority. Many victims enter as early as 12–13, increasing vulnerability to coercion and abuse by teachers (ustadz) and kyai who control religious legitimacy and discipline. Analyzing media reports and survivor accounts, the study identifies fourteen coercive tactics, including spiritual-blessing appeals, virginity tests, false marriage promises, financial incentives, threats, and religion-grounded narrative manipulations that justify abuse and obstruct disclosure. Findings call for legal reform, institutional accountability, and culturally sensitive interventions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

Introduction

Background and public cases

Research focus and questions

Method and approach

Analytical sources and feminist frameworks

Findings and coercive tactics

Identified modalities and functions

Implications

Legal reform, accountability, and interventions

FAQs

What makes female santri especially vulnerable to sexual violence in Indonesian pesantren?

Victims often enter at an early age (around 12–13), and abuse is facilitated by the patriarchal power structures and the religious authority of kyai and ustadz who control discipline and legitimacy.

How does the study examine coercive modalities in relation to narrative fiction?

It analyzes media reports and survivor accounts to identify how perpetrators use diverse coercive tactics and narrative fiction to exploit religious legitimacy and institutional power for sexual manipulation.

What are the main impacts of these coercive tactics?

They justify abuse, compel victim compliance, and prevent disclosure, thereby sustaining cycles of silence and impunity within pesantren environments.

Jun 26, 2026

Upload by Logic