Viral Justice and Public Pressure: The Role of Social Media in Handling Sexual Violence Cases in Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62872/a70c7326Keywords:
Viral Justice, Social Media, Public Pressure, Sexual Violence, Legal EthicsAbstract
The rise of social media has transformed the landscape of justice, particularly in handling sexual violence cases in Indonesia, giving rise to the phenomenon known as “viral justice.” This study aims to analyze how social media shapes public pressure, influences institutional responses, and generates ethical dilemmas in legal processes. A qualitative socio-legal approach was employed, utilizing in-depth interviews, digital ethnography, and document analysis. Data were analyzed through thematic and content analysis to identify patterns in public discourse, institutional behavior, and ethical challenges. The results indicate that social media plays a dual role. On one hand, viral content accelerates institutional responses, enhances transparency, and amplifies victim voices, functioning as an informal mechanism of social control. On the other hand, it introduces significant risks, including trial by media, misinformation, and the erosion of legal principles such as due process and presumption of innocence. The discussion highlights that the phenomenon of “No Viral, No Justice” reflects both the strengths and weaknesses of the current legal system, emphasizing the need for balance between public engagement and legal integrity. In conclusion, social media has become a powerful but complex tool in the pursuit of justice. Its role must be managed through appropriate regulations and digital literacy to ensure fair and accountable legal processes.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
