Protection against Sexual Violence

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (right) gives the government's final view regarding the decision-making of the Draft Law on Sexual Violence (RUU TPKS) to DPR Speaker Puan Maharani during a DPR plenary meeting at the Parliament Complex, Senayan , Jakarta, Tuesday (12/4/2022).

After the House of Representatives (DPR) finally passed the sexual violence bill into law during a plenary session on Tuesday, the next step is to implement the new law.

The Sexual Violence Law (TPKS) was long awaited amidst the continuing increase in sexual violence cases in the country. The bill’s deliberation had been delayed for more than six years since it was submitted to the House. The House Commission VII’s deliberation of the bill was halted on strong opposition from Islamic political parties. The House Legislative Body then resumed further discussion on the draft law for the 2019-2024 session. The hard work of the House working committee for the deliberation of the bill should be appreciated.

Also read:

The Sexual Violence Bill

We also hail the efforts of a number of civil society organizations like the Network of the Defenders of Women Victims of Sexual Violence, which never gave up fighting for a law to defend the victims of sexual violence.

Since civil society organizations first submitted the bill to the House, it took nine years until it was finally passed. It is thus no wonder that the bill’s passage received huge applause from the members of various organizations, especially women’s organizations, who watched as the bill was ratified during Tuesday’s House plenary session.

The law protects and restores the rights of victims by including the provision of compensation and rehabilitation as well as stipulations on punishments and fines for perpetrators, and also requires the state to prevent and handle incidents of sexual violence.

The most important thing about the new law is that it provides a comprehensive legal umbrella to prevent sexual violence. The law protects and restores the rights of victims by including the provision of compensation and rehabilitation as well as stipulations on punishments and fines for perpetrators, and also requires the state to prevent and handle incidents of sexual violence.

KOMPAS/IRMA TAMBUNAN

A coalition of women who are members of "Save Our Sister" rallies in front of the Jambi High Court, Thursday (26/7/2018).

The law covers physical and nonphysical sexual violence, including cybersexual crimes and human trafficking perpetrated by an individual and/or group, as well as forced marriage and child marriage.

Sexual violence causes physical harm so not all victims immediately report the incident, and it also takes time to understand what they have experienced.

Before the new law was passed, it was not easy for victims to get justice or even to report the violence they had experienced. Law enforcement officials are generally insensitive to the specific aspects of sexual violence. Sexual violence causes physical harm so not all victims immediately report the incident, and it also takes time to understand what they have experienced.

It is difficult for victims of sexual violence to report the incident, especially if the victim has a close relationship with their perpetrator or is in an unequal relationship with their perpetrator. In addition, the fact that many people have a tendency to blame the victims of sexual violence makes it even more difficult to report the incident.

ANTARA FOTO/MOHAMMAD AYUDHA

Residents sign during the protest against violence against women in Solo, Central Java, Sunday (9/12/2018).

Following the passage of the bill into law, the next step for the government is to prepare and issue presidential decrees as implementing regulations for the law. Derivative regulations must be in place at all levels, from government institutions to nongovernmental agencies and to districts, cities, and even villages in order to change the mindset of a society that still tolerates sexual violence.

We call for the immediate enforcement of the newly passed Sexual Violence Law in order to eradicate sexual violence and prevent the creation of more victims.

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi)