(INDONESIA)
Union of Catholic Asian News (UCA News) [Hong Kong]
February 18, 2026
By UCA news staff
Holy Spirit Sister Maria Fransiska Imakulata has been advocating justice for 13 trafficking victims rescued from a nightclub
The governor of Indonesia’s West Java province has thanked a Catholic nun for assisting alleged trafficking victims rescued from a nightclub in East Nusa Tenggara and pledged legal support to ensure justice.West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi called Holy Spirit Sister Maria Fransiska Imakulata on Feb. 17 to express appreciation for her efforts on behalf of the victims, most of whom are from West Java.
Sister Imakulata told UCA News that the governor asked about the victims’ condition and promised to oversee the case personally.
“He thanked us for helping the victims. He promised to handle the matter directly,” she said.
According to the nun, Mulyadi also said he would visit East Nusa Tenggara and meet the police to ensure the case is processed in accordance with the law.
Sister Imakulata chairs the Humanitarian Volunteer Team for Flores (TRUK-F), a Catholic Church-backed advocacy coalition based in Sikka regency on Flores island. The group works with several rights organizations across East Nusa Tenggara.
Local police rescued 13 women from a nightclub in January following advocacy efforts by TRUK-F and its partners. The women are currently under the coalition’s care, while nightclub authorities face investigation on suspicion of human trafficking.
All but one of the victims are from West Java and are aged between 17 and 26. They were allegedly lured with promises of lucrative jobs but instead faced abuses, including sexual violence and forced abortion. Several were reportedly 15 when first recruited.
The coalition said the women were paid 1 million rupiah (about US$60) a month instead of the promised 9 million rupiah salary and did not receive the accommodation, clothing and beauty products they had been promised.
On Feb. 9, the coalition protested at the local legislative council, demanding government action against the nightclub.
Leonardus Tunga, spokesperson for Sikka Police, said investigators are questioning the victims and the nightclub owner as part of an ongoing probe.
Asti Lakalena, chairwoman of the Alliance for the Protection of Women and Children in East Nusa Tenggara, urged authorities to apply not only anti-trafficking laws but also statutes on sexual violence and child protection.
“We also want all victims to receive their rights, especially the right to legal justice and reparation,” she said.
Marly Numat of the Puan Floresta Bicara Community, which advocates for women victims of violence, said the case reflects deeper structural issues.
“Women are protected under the law and should receive such treatment. They should not become objects of exploitation,” she said.
“This case is not just an individual issue, but a reflection of structural problems that continue to threaten the safety and dignity of women in nightlife spaces.”
According to Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission, East Nusa Tenggara remains a trafficking hub due to persistent poverty and limited employment opportunities.
Provincial police recorded 256 trafficking cases in 2023, though rights groups say the actual figure is likely far higher because many cases go unreported.