Andy emphasized that the NWR case was one of 4,500 cases of violence against women reported to Komnas Perempuan between January and October 2021.
By
Kompas Team
·3 minutes read
TOTO SIHONO
Illustration of sexual violence.
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — In the midst of the struggle to pass the sexual violence bill, the public was shocked by the case of sexual violence that led to the death of a female university student, NWR. Yet this case is the tip of the iceberg of women's vulnerability to sexual violence in the private sphere or by a partner.
NWR was a victim of dating violence. For almost two years NWR experienced repeated abuse from her boyfriend. She was a victim of sexual exploitation and forced abortion, which eventually led to her taking her own life.
As of Monday (6/12/2021), a number of parties have expressed concern over the case. Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, and the chairwoman of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) Andy Yentriyani expressed their deep condolences for the late NWR.
"We support the steps taken by the National Police chief and his staff, especially the East Java Regional Police," said Bintang in a press statement yesterday in Jakarta. The police were asked to process the perpetrator according to the law.
Andy said that the tragic story of NWR should serve as a lesson. "This case sounds the alarm for the emergency situation of sexual violence in Indonesia that requires a serious response from law enforcement officials, the government, the legislature and the public," she said.
It was later discovered that NWR ended her life after experiencing sexual violence by her boyfriend who is a police officer.
On 2 December 2021, NWR, a resident of a village in Mojokerto, East Java, was found to have committed suicide while visiting her father's grave in the village of Japan at 15:30. NWR's death went viral on social media. It was later discovered that NWR ended her life after experiencing sexual violence by her boyfriend who is a police officer.
Kompas
Residents and a number of activists gathered to voice their concern for YY, a rape victim in Bengkulu in front of the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday 4/5/2016).
Head of Public Relations at the East Java Police, Comr. Gatot Repli Handoko, said Bripda RB, NWR's boyfriend, was named a suspect. The perpetrator is strongly suspected of being involved in her abortions, thus violating Article 348 of the Criminal Code. He could be sentenced to five years and six months in prison.
Ask for assistance
According to Andy, in August 2021 the victim asked for help for the violence she was experiencing. She consulted with two legal aid agencies which advised the victim to report the perpetrator to the East Java Police.
When contacted by Komnas Perempuan, on 10 November, the victim asked to be mediated with the perpetrator and his parents and requested counseling. Komnas Perempuan referred the victim to the Mojokerto Integrated Service Center for the Empowerment of Women and Children. A meeting was scheduled for early December.
The victim also experienced severe mental health issues leading her to wanting to hurt herself.
NWR had experienced repeated sexual violence since 2019, which had included unwanted pregnancies. Her partner forced her to have two abortions with the support of the perpetrator's family. The victim also experienced severe mental health issues leading her to wanting to hurt herself. Andy emphasized that the NWR case was one of 4,500 cases of violence against women reported to Komnas Perempuan between January and October 2021.
CAHYO HERYUNANTO
CAHYO HERYUNANTO
That figure is double the number of cases in 2020. Dating violence is the third most common type of violence in private spaces. The ratification of the sexual violence bill is considered key to breaking the impunity of the perpetrators and restoring the lives of victims. (SON/DEA/NIK)
