Police probe abuse claims at prestigious Indonesian school

JAKARTA — A prestigious international school in Indonesia said today (April 24) it was cooperating with police in their investigation of alleged abuse of a six-year-old student and was devastated upon learning of allegations against an American teacher who worked there for a decade.

Police have arrested two cleaners in the alleged abuse of the boy at the Jakarta International School, and are looking into the possibility of more victims or more perpetrators. The two Indonesian accused in the case would face a maximum of 15 years in prison if found guilty of violating the country’s 2002 law on child protection.

The boy’s Dutch and Indonesian parents have sued the school for negligence and are seeking US$12 million (S$15 million) in compensation.

Headmaster Timothy Carr told foreign correspondents that the school would ensure such a “horrendous event” never reoccurred.

Earlier this week, the FBI said a man who committed suicide in Minnesota last month was a suspected child predator who taught at international schools for more than four decades.

Mr Carr said school officials were devastated by the allegations against William James Vahey, who worked at JIS from 1992-2002.

The FBI said Vahey taught history and geography, coached basketball and led overnight field trips at schools where he worked. The agency suspects Vahey drugged his victims, which may have impaired their awareness of the abuse and enabled him to evade suspicion.

JIS sent an email encouraging the school community to complete a confidential FBI questionnaire or contact the FBI if they know of anyone affected by Vahey’s actions.

The Jakarta International School has 2,400 students aged 3 to 18 from about 60 nationalities. AP