inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Ministry of Population and Family Development implores the public to stop normalizing sexual jokes that demean women which have long been considered normal.

This was conveyed by the Secretary of Ministry of Population and Family Development, Budi Setiyono, in response to a case of sexual harassment in a student text message group within the Faculty of Law, University of Indonesia (FHUI).

"Sexual jokes are often considered normal, but in fact, they should not be. This often occurs due to peer pressure, which causes individuals to conform to group behavior to gain peer acceptance," said Budi on Wednesday (4/15/2026).

He emphasized that this incident serves as an important reminder that sexual violence does not always occur physically. Digital spaces, including private conversations, can become a medium that reinforces a culture of sexual harassment if not addressed seriously and constructively.

"Sexually charged conversations that demean, objectify, or contain symbolic violence against individuals are not just jokes, but actually create an unsafe environment for the wider community, especially women," explained Budi.

According to him, normalizing sexual violence in everyday life has the potential to encourage and develop into actual acts in the real world.

"Digital space is not an empty space but can reflect patterns of social interaction. What is said there can reflect values, attitudes, and potential behavior in the real world," he explained.

He stated that sexual harassment, including in digital forms, can cause psychological stress, anxiety, and even trauma for victims.

"More broadly, this can damage the integrity of the academic environment, which should uphold ethics, equality, and respect for human dignity," said the Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Culture, proudly.

Therefore, he emphasized the need for all parties to take action to address this phenomenon to prevent it from developing.

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