There are indications that online gender-based violence has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and activists are calling for better protection of victims.
By
EDITOR
·3 minutes read
Kompas/Wawan H Prabowo
Participants of the Declaration against Violence, Exploitation and Persecution towards Women and Children signing the statement of support against violence towards women and children at Tugu Proklamasi, Jakarta, Friday (9/6/2019).
There are indications that online gender-based violence has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, and activists are calling for better protection of victims.
The National Commission on Violence against Women has recorded 659 cases of online gender-based violence this year, up from 281 cases in 2019. Online gender-based violence is defined as targeted harassment and prejudice against women through technology (Kompas, 14/12/2020).
Across various reports, such as reports from the United Nations, international survey agencies and service agencies for victims of violence in Indonesia, the number of cases of gender-based violence – especially against women – have generally increased during the pandemic.
Social restrictions have caused a number of service facilities to temporarily close or have made it difficult for victims to access them.
An increase in online violence can be expected due to increased communication using mobile devices with social distancing in place. In addition, social restrictions may leave a victim in the same house as a perpetrator for a prolonged period of time. Social restrictions have caused a number of service facilities to temporarily close or have made it difficult for victims to access them.
Prior to the pandemic, gender-based violence, including online violence, occurred. Not every victim, however, was willing to report the abuse they experienced. Moreover, not every victim or the people around them understood the rights of victims to be protected from violence.
Kompas
Women take part in a demonstration during the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in San Jose, on November 25, 2020.
Gender-based violence differs from ordinary violence. This violence targets individuals because of their gender. This includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological violence and can be found in the form of threats, pressure and economic coercion occurring in either the private or public sphere. We also don’t want people to fall victim to trafficking or pornography.
Although men can be victims of such violence, data shows that generally women and transgender people are the biggest victims. Dealing with gender-based violence requires understanding the roots of the violence, namely unbalanced power relations, abuse of power and societal norms that discriminate and allow violence to occur.
The government has taken preventative measures through regulations, campaigns and support for service institutions. However, these services still need to be improved across the region.
To prevent violence more comprehensively, we hope that the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry’s budget will be increased to mitigate gender-based violence offline and online and facilitate cross-agency work from the central to local governments, as well as law enforcement agencies and institutional services provided by the community.
A society that promotes equality and frees all of its population will be a more productive society.
