ONLINE SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN PALOPO: LEGAL PROTECTION AND MAQASHID SHARIA
Keywords:
Online Sexual, Harassment, Legal Protection, Maqashid ShariaAbstract
This study examines protection against online sexual harassment in Palopo City by the Women and Children Protection Unit of Palopo Police and evaluates it through Maqashid Sharia. The study addresses four issues: the forms of online sexual harassment in Palopo, the model of legal protection and law enforcement provided to victims, the obstacles faced by the Unit in handling reports of electronic violence against women, and the relevance of Maqashid Sharia as a framework for strengthening victim protection. Using a normative-empirical approach, this qualitative research combines analysis of legal norms and Maqashid Sharia principles with field data from the PPA Unit. Data were collected through institutional documents and semi-structured interviews with PPA officers, supported by case records from 2022 to 2025. The data were analysed through qualitative legal analysis, thematic categorisation, and normative-empirical comparison. The findings show 81 cases during 2022-2025, including digital verbal abuse, online sexual extortion, and non-consensual distribution of intimate content. The PPA Unit protects victims through complaint reception, confidentiality, digital evidence collection, investigation, coordination, assistance, and preventive education. Enforcement still faces anonymous offenders, limited forensic capacity, victim reluctance, stigma, and low digital literacy. Maqashid Sharia strengthens victim-centred protection based on dignity, safety, justice, and harm prevention.
References
Angelita, G. (2025). Women’s Leadership Communication Style in Overcoming Sexual Violence in the Workplace in the Digital Era. Proceeding of The 5th ASPIKOM International CommunicationConference (AICCON 2025), 1(1), 277–288. https://doi.org/10.31947/aiccon2025.v1i1.47727
Anggraeni, L., Zahro, Z. A., & Saffinee, S. S. (2025). A Comparative Study of Electronic-Based Sexual Violence: Maqashid Shari’ah Perspective on Indonesia’s Law No. 12 of 2022 and Malaysia’s Legal Framework. YUDISIA Jurnal Pemikiran Hukum Dan Hukum Islam, 16(1), 102. https://doi.org/10.21043/yudisia.v16i1.30938
Anggriani, J. A., Shodiq, M. D., & Basuki, B. (2026). Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Perempuan Korban Penyebarluasan Pornografi Dengan Motif Balas Dendam (Revenge Porn) Di Media Sosial. Sinergi Jurnal Riset Ilmiah, 3(1), 377–390. https://doi.org/10.62335/sinergi.v3i1.2306
Athirah, S., & Hidayana, I. (2023). Women’s Agency and Resistance to Cyber Flashing on Twitter. MASYARAKAT Jurnal Sosiologi, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.7454/mjs.v28i1.13562
Badzlin, M. Z., Adnin, K. P., Sembiring, J. M., Siahaan, J. C., & Ramadani, S. (2026). Application of Legal Sanctions Against Perpetrators of Social Media Account Theft Based on the Law on Information and Electronic Transactions. Discourse Journal on Law and Society, 2(1), 46–51. https://doi.org/10.70062/djls.v2i1.137
Basit, L., Santoso, P., & Rizky, F. (2025). Multi-platform analysis of sexual harassment networks: gender dynamics and digital amplification. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-025-01563-3
Bezzina, M., Sammut, F., & Scerri, J. (2025). Surrounded by Predators: The Lived Experiences of Online Harassment by Male Public Figures. International Journal of Bullying Prevention. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42380-025-00325-1
Boxall, H., Lawler, S., & Morgan, A. (2025). Unpacking Variation in Technology-Facilitated Intimate Partner Violence: A Conceptual and Empirical Analysis. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-025-00928-8
Devi, C. P., & Aminuddin, A. (2025). Maqāṣid Al-Syarī‘Ah Sebagai Basis Perlindungan Perempuan Dari Kekerasan. SANGAJI Jurnal Pemikiran Syariah Dan Hukum, 9(2), 185–195. https://doi.org/10.52266/sangaji.v9i2.5357
Dinantira, Y. P. (2024). Legal Protection for Revenge Porn Victims in the Sexual Violence Crime Law (UU No. 12 of 2022). JUSTICES Journal of Law, 3(2), 121–133. https://doi.org/10.58355/justices.v3i2.103
Fachrudin, F., Suretno, S., Muslim, M., Kohar, A., & Mailana, A. (2023). The Construction of Islamic Law on the Law on Halal Product Assurance from the Maqashid Sharia Perspective (Law No. 33 of 2014 and Law No. 11 of 2020 Article 48). Al-Ulum, 23(1), 175–191. https://doi.org/10.30603/au.v23i1.3658
Gámez‐Guadix, M., Sorrel, M. A., & Martínez‐Bacaicoa, J. (2022). Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration and Victimization Among Adolescents: A Network Analysis. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 20(3), 1000–1012. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-022-00775-y
Gjika, A., & Marganski, A. (2020). Silent Voices, Hidden Stories: A Review of Sexual Assault (Non)Disclosure Literature, Emerging Issues, and Call to Action. In International Journal for Crime Justice and Social Democracy (Vol. 9, Issue 4, pp. 163–176). Queensland University of Technology. https://doi.org/10.5204/ijcjsd.v9i4.1439
Guntara, P., Harmastuti, P. P., Putra, C. A., & Liani, F. (2025). Cyber Victimology: Innovative Models and Mechanisms for Protecting Child Victims of Sexual Violence Crimes in the Context of Cybercrime. Journal of Law Politic and Humanities, 6(1), 386–397. https://doi.org/10.38035/jlph.v6i1.2489
Im, J., Schoenebeck, S., Iriarte, M., Grill, G., Wilkinson, D., Batool, A., Alharbi, R., Funwie, A., Gankhuu, T., Gilbert, É., & Naseem, M. (2022). Women’s Perspectives on Harm and Justice after Online Harassment. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 6, 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1145/3555775
Juliansyahzen, M. I., & Ocktoberrinsyah. (2022). The Contemporary Maqāṣid Sharia Perspective on Sexual Violence Provisions in the Indonesian Law Number 12 Year 2022. Al-Manahij Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 269–286. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v16i2.7018
Kamalludin, I., Pratami, B. D., Khasna, S., Yaqin, A., & Umar, A. J. (2024). Revitalizing Justice in Fiqh: Revisiting Non-Retroactive Principles to Address Sexual Violence. Ulul Albab Jurnal Studi Dan Penelitian Hukum Islam, 7(2), 136. https://doi.org/10.30659/jua.v7i2.31028
Kaur, P., Dhir, A., Tandon, A., Alzeiby, E. A., & Abohassan, A. A. (2020). A systematic literature review on cyberstalking. An analysis of past achievements and future promises. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 163, 120426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120426
Khairate, K. (2025). Security Challenges in Online Communication Platforms. International Journal of Advanced Research in Science Communication and Technology, 826. https://doi.org/10.48175/ijarsct-30493
Kholidah, K., & Tampubolon, I. (2025). Kulliyah Al-Khams In The Code Of Ethics Of Social Media: An Analysis Of Maqashid Al-Syari’ah. Pena Justisia Media Komunikasi Dan Kajian Hukum, 24(1), 3195–3211. https://doi.org/10.31941/pj.v24i2.6694
López-Barranco, P. J., López-Yepes, S., Ferrer, M. B. C., Fuentes, P., del Mar Beladiez-Pérez, M., & Jiménez‐Ruiz, I. (2025). Violence Against Women on Social Networks: A Descriptive Analysis. Healthcare, 13(20), 2574. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13202574
Mdletshe, L., & Makhaye, M. S. (2025). Suffering in Silence: Reasons Why Victims of Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education Institutions Choose Not to Report Their Victimization. Social Sciences, 14(6), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14060336
Mintarsih, M., Gayo, A. A., Suhariyanto, B., Rafsanjani, J. I., Anggayudha, Z. H., Farhana, F., Untoro, U., & Trisista, R. G. M. (2026). Critical Analysis on Legal Protection for Victims of Online Gender-Based Violence in Indonesia: Viewed From its Effectiveness and Recommendations. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012261432624
Mokobombang, M., Darwis, Z., & Mokodenseho, S. (2023). Pemberantasan Tindak Pidana Cyber di Provinsi Jawa Barat: Peran Hukum dan Tantangan dalam Penegakan Hukum Terhadap Kejahatan Digital. Jurnal Hukum Dan HAM Wara Sains, 2(6), 517–525. https://doi.org/10.58812/jhhws.v2i6.447
Muhsin, I., Ma’mun, S., & Nuroniyah, W. (2021). Sexual Violence in an Islamic Higher Education Institution of Indonesian: A Maqasid Al-Shariah and Foucauldian Perspective. SAMARAH Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam, 5(1), 127. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v5i1.9144
Musyafaah, N. L., Nugraha, A., Akbar, M. I., & Kurniawan, C. S. (2023). Protection of Sexual Violence Victims from the Perspective of Maqāṣid al-Sharī‘ah. ISLAMICA Jurnal Studi Keislaman, 18(1), 134–156. https://doi.org/10.15642/islamica.2023.18.1.134-156
Nafsiyah, G., & Ristianawati, E. (2026). Islamic Criminal Law on Sexual Bullying Involving Children: A Case Study of the Tasikmalaya Police. ISLAMIKA, 8(1), 128–153. https://doi.org/10.36088/islamika.v8i1.6004
Nuroniyah, W., Azkiya, M. A. Al, Wahid, A., Shodiq, F. L. L., & Maula, B. S. (2025). Assessing Indonesia and Malaysia’s Legal Responsiveness to Domestic Violence Victims within Islamic Law Framework. Al-Manahij Jurnal Kajian Hukum Islam, 247–270. https://doi.org/10.24090/mnh.v19i2.13736
Okprianti, R., Emilson, N. H., Nurhaliza, Nova, T. E., Rahmawati, P. Y., & Ananda, I. D. (2025). Analisis Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Korban Kekerasan Seksual Berbasis Internet Ditinjau Dari Hukum Pidana Dan Kebijakan Keamanan Digital Indonesia. The Juris, 9(2), 580–584. https://doi.org/10.56301/juris.v9i2.1982
Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2024). The nature and extent of youth sextortion: Legal implications and directions for future research. Behavioral Sciences & the Law, 42(4), 401–416. https://doi.org/10.1002/bsl.2667
Perdana, L. G., & Hasibuan, E. S. (2026). Gelar Perkara dalam Penentuan Tersangka pada Proses Penegakan UU ITE Perspektif Maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah. AL-SULTHANIYAH, 15(1), 99–108. https://doi.org/10.37567/al-sulthaniyah.v15i1.4576
Pratiwi, P. F. P., Aziz, A. S., Nurdin, F. S., Gunarto, & Abdelaali, M. (2025). Assessing Legal Protection Effectiveness for Women Facing Digital Sexual Violence. Journal of Human Rights Culture and Legal System, 5(3), 922–948. https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v5i3.795
Rakha, N. A. (2024). Cybercrime and the Law: Addressing the Challenges of Digital Forensics in Criminal Investigations. Mexican Law Review, 23–54. https://doi.org/10.22201/iij.24485306e.2024.2.18892
Roz, I. D., Saimima, J. M., Salmon, H. C. J., Wadjo, H. Z., & Fitrian, A. (2025). Sexual Harassment Crime In Digital Space: Legal Challenges And Solutions. Journal Of Strafvordering Indonesian, 1(6), 14–23. https://doi.org/10.62872/h2afmb07
Schokkenbroek, J. M., Ponnet, K., & Hardyns, W. (2023). Young Adults’ Online and In-Person Sexual Harassment Experiences in Romantic Relationships: Exploring the Role of Relationship Type and Dark Triad Personality Traits. International Criminal Justice Review, 34(3), 262–283. https://doi.org/10.1177/10575677231214181
Sitonra, M. Y. D., Anwar, A., Saidah, S., & Thamrin, A. (2026). Fiqh Jinayah In The Digital Era: Answering The Challenges Of Deepfake Pornography From The Perspective Of Maqāṣid Al-Syarī‘Ah. Qanun Journal of Islamic Laws and Studies, 4(3), 1623–1630. https://doi.org/10.58738/qanun.v4i3.1324
Thompson, R., Turner, K., & Allely, C. S. (2026). Exploring Online Sexual Harassment in Adolescent Populations: A PRISMA Review. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-026-01285-x
Wibisana, A. W., & Hasbullah, H. (2024). Key Factors to Increase the Role of the Prosecutor’s Stolen Asset Recovery Agency in Indonesia: Opportunities and Challenges. Beijing Law Review, 15(1), 319–353. https://doi.org/10.4236/blr.2024.151021
