Records of Domestic Violence Cases Being Investigated
Regarding an alleged domestic violence case in Depok, West Java, the husband faces an additional sentence if he is proven to have committed it repeatedly.
By
ERIKA KURNIA
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A domestic violence case involving the couple Bani Bayumi and Putri Balqis in Depok City, West Java, is allegedly composed of recurring incidents. After studying the records of their case reports, the Metro Jakarta Police, on Friday (26/5/2023), stated the husband facedd an additional sentence.
In the case of the Bani-Putri couple in Cinere, Depok, the Depok Police have named the two as suspects in a domestic violence case (KDRT). This happened after the two reported each other to the police, each claiming to have been victims of physical abuse.
This case was brought up by Putri's family on social media and went viral, partly because the police were considered unprofessional in handling Putri's report, which was filed two weeks earlier than her husband's report. The police were also said to have forced for reconciliation as proposed by Putri's husband.
On Thursday (25/5/2023), Metro Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Karyoto checked the management of the case at the Depok Police. Subsequently, Metro Jakarta Police took over the case, which received public attention.
The director of General Criminal Investigation of Metro Jakarta Police, Sr. Comr. Hengki Hariyadi, stated in a press conference, on Friday (26/5/2023), he had organized a case hearing.
"We saw several actions or criminal acts of which [the investigation] will be completed," he said.
Metro Jakarta Police are trying to unravel the case; one method is by studying the history of the case based on the statements of the witnesses. So far nine witnesses have been questioned. From the examination it was found the wife had filed a report to the police regarding the same case.
“This abuse against the wife is not just one time. In 2016, it [a similar case] was reported. However, restorative justice occurs because indeed in the Domestic Violence Law, one of the principles and goals is to maintain the family," said Hengki.
HUMAS POLDA METRO JAYA
Director of General Criminal Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya Senior Commissioner Hengki Hariyadi gives a press statement regarding several criminal cases at Polda Metro Jaya Headquarters, Jakarta, Friday (26/5/2023).
Because there were repeated acts, the police were more suspicious of the victim's husband, namely Bani, in accordance with Article 64 of the Indonesian Criminal Code concerning continuing criminal acts (Voortgezette handeling). "If this is true and we prove it, the threat of punishment against the husband could be increased by a third," said Hengki.
Meanwhile, for Putri, the police prepared a team of psychiatrists and psychologists to check whether she had experienced any psychological trauma, apart from the persecution. In order to guarantee the objectivity of the investigation and guarantee the rights of the victims, the police cooperate with Komnas Perempuan, the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry, including the Witness and Victim Protection Agency.
Precautions
Forensic psychologist Reza Indragiri is of the opinion the police must carefully examine cases of domestic violence. Law enforcers must objectively facilitate the stages of mediation and legal justice that the alleged perpetrator and the plaintiff want to take.
“The police can push for mediation, especially if domestic violence has expanded into a crisis between families, between villages and so on. However, mediation has conditions. For example, it must be based on the will of both parties and it cannot be determined how long it will be completed," he said.
If the case were to proceed to the court mechanism, according to Reza, the perpetrator might end up in jail. However, imprisonment for perpetrators of domestic violence has a higher recidivism rate. This means the perpetrator risks repeating his actions after completing his sentence.
The police can push for mediation, especially if domestic violence has expanded into a crisis between families, between villages and so on.
The ones who file report who are not punished can also experience the same problem repeatedly if they are not assisted with counseling or comprehensive recovery.
Divorce, according to Reza, could be an option for couples who have experienced severe domestic violence. “Divorce is bitter. However, rather than surviving in a marriage full of turmoil, let alone witnessed by children, divorce is the right option. It's also time for us to have pre-divorce counseling scheme to reduce the risk of post-divorce follow-up problems," he added.
