UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga Student Executive Board (BEM UNAIR), through the Commission for Anti-Discrimination and Gender-Based Violence (KADG), held a webinar entitled Darurat Kekerasan dan Pelecehan Seksual di Indonesia (Emergency of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Indonesia). The webinar was held online via Zoom on Saturday, August 14, 2021.
As one of the speakers, Dra. I Gusti Agung Putri Astrid Kartika, M. A., the special staff of the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, said that child marriage is the main source of sexual violence. Unfortunately, the number of child marriages in Indonesia is still relatively high.
“Many child marriages occur due to the cultural understanding practice which still believes that when a woman reaches puberty, she is considered an adult. Even though their psychological ability to make decisions and lead or build a household is not yet ready, they are often married off. Such child marriage becomes a threat for women or girls to experience violence,” explained Dra. Gusti.
Apart from child marriages, several other factors trigger sexual violence. Presented by Dra. Gusti, these factors include online gender-based violence (KBGO), child labor, economic and socio-psychological factors.
Regarding victims and perpetrators of sexual violence, the majority are 19 to 29 years old, as presented by Muhammad Isnur, the Head of the Advocacy Division of the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI). Most of the perpetrators are students.
New functions of the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (P3A)
Responding to the widespread phenomenon of sexual violence, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (P3A) has two new functions. These functions are based on Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 65 of 2020 article 3 letters (d and e). Both are in the form of service provisions.
As presented by Dra. Gusti, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (P3A) service provision is in the form of final referral for women victims of violence, which requires coordination at the national, inter-provincial, and international levels. Furthermore, services are also aimed at children who need special protection and coordination at the national and international levels.
The technical criteria for victims to be handled by the Ministry of P3A are 1) women victims of gender-based violence in various forms, 2) women victims of mass violence and/or experiencing threats, 3) women in special conditions (elderly or disability), and 4) victims of Indonesian citizens (WNI) abroad. Regarding the filing process, victims can call the hotline number 129 or the WhatsApp contact at 08111.129.129.
Efforts of Women’s Advocacy Institute
Besides Dra. Gusti, Afrintina, S. H, as the counselor-advocate of the DAMAR Women’s Advocacy Institute, also explained that the process of assisting victims of sexual violence is carried out in two ways: litigation and non-litigation. The litigation process involves law enforcement officers. Meanwhile, non-litigation refers to assistance through legal consultation, counseling with counselors or psychologists, and referrals to service institutions.
Finally, Luthfia Anindya, as the Chair of the KADKG, invited all of us to pay attention to cases of sexual violence. “Let’s build awareness and educate each other regarding the issue of sexual violence to realize Indonesia as a country that is gender-just and inclusive for all citizens,” concluded the Class of 2017 student.
Author: Fauzia Gadis Widyanti
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia (YA/AP)
