Brave Women Speak Up

KOMPAS

In this photo, Rizky Billar and Lesti Kejora were examined by the police regarding the DNA Pro case some time ago. Lesti Kejora filed a report with the South Jakarta Police on Wednesday (28/9/2022), after her husband, Rizky Billar, abused her on two different occasions that same day.

Another woman has courageously spoken up in reporting the domestic violence she experienced. Hopefully, her action will inspire other women to be brave.

Lesti Kejora, the winner of the D'Academy Indosiar dangdut music competition’s inaugural season in 2014, must be recognized for her courage, because not many women dare to speak out about domestic abuse. Lesti filed a report with the South Jakarta Police on Wednesday (28/9/2022), after her husband, Rizky Billar, abused her on two different occasions that same day.

Domestic violence, whether perpetrated by a husband against a wife, parents against children, or employers against domestic workers, is known locally as Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga (KDRT), or violence in the household. The violence can be physical as well as psychological, and expressed verbally, physically or behaviorally.

Also read:

> Online Violence Targets Women

> Increasing Reports of Violence against Women

Violence on a wider scale, not only in the home, generally stems from subordination, marginalization, and stereotyping. Women and children, who are in the most vulnerable position, are often the victims.

In fact, humans are essential born equal. Their gender, ethnicity, race, religion, or socioeconomic standing doesn't matter. Every person has inherent rights by nature. Every human being has the right to be protected, cared for, and to have their needs met.

Human rights include the rights to a life that is free from persecution and oppression, freedom of opinion and expression, and freedom of education and work. Therefore, domestic violence is a crime against human dignity.

KOMPAS/DEFRI WERDIONO

Hundreds of people from various elements held a demonstration in front of the Malang District Court, East Java, Wednesday (20/7/2022), during the trial of the alleged sexual violence case at the SPI school in Batu City.

However, it is not easy to eradicate domestic violence. Data gathered in 2004-2020 by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded 544,452 cases of domestic violence during that period, including violence against wives, violence against girls, violence against domestic workers, and violence against other people in a personal relationship. What is concerning is that domestic violence has been exacerbated by information and communication technology (ICT).

Indeed, Indonesia already has the Domestic Violence Eradication Law (UU PKDRT), which has been in effect since 2004. However, the reality shows that the law has not been properly disseminated to the public. Many victims do not understand the relevant legal procedures, while on the other hand, law enforcement agencies and personnel remain focused on formal and administrative measures.

Also read:

> Alarm of Sexual Violence Emergency

> A Strong Woman’s Guts

The situation is even more alarming when people use religion to coerce women’s obedience to uphold their families’ honor, and domestic violence is considered disgraceful so that it continues to be covered up. When violence becomes cyclical, the impacts will be more severe and wider, from yelling to beating, from the husband abusing his wife and the wife then mistreating domestic workers and then the children, and so on.

There is no other way. Society must move together and encourage local initiatives to reject violence and improve the reporting systems for domestic violence in support of the victims.

Lesti Kejora has spoken. Let’s give her our strong support in stressing that domestic violence is a crime that must be reported and its perpetrators punished.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.