APSN | Despite rampant sexual violence, bill remains low priority

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Despite rampant sexual violence, bill remains low priority

Jakarta Post - May 4, 2016

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Erika Anindita Dewi – Reports of rampant sexual violence against women and girls have not motivated lawmakers to bring forward deliberations of a sexual violence bill, arguing that there are many other urgent bills that also need their attention.

The deputy chairperson of House of Representatives Commission VIII overseeing religious and social affairs, Ledia Hanifa Amaliah, said on Wednesday that her commission had not started to deliberate the sexual violence bill, which has been listed among the House's national legislation program priorities.

"The problem is each House internal body can only discuss two draft bills," Ledia told thejakartapost.com on Tuesday evening, adding that Commission VIII was already discussing two draft bills.

She suggested that Commission III overseeing law, human rights and legal affairs could take over the deliberation of the sexual violence bill to make the process faster.

Human rights and NGO activists have demanded that lawmakers immediately approve the bill into law to ensure legal protection for women who fall victim to any type of sexual abuse.

The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded 321,752 cases of violence against women in 2015, up from 293,220 cases in the previous year. The latest incident was the gang rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl by 14 teenage boys in Bengkulu, which has ignited a spirit of solidarity in social media.

Speaking separately, Commission III chairman Bambang Soesatyo said the commission was still focusing on the revision of the Criminal Code (KUHP) and the Criminal Law Procedures Code (KUHAP). Therefore, the commission may only start deliberating the sexual violence bill next year.

In 2014, Komnas Perempuan began to draft the sexual violence bill, which has been given priority status to be deliberated this year.

In the bill, Komnas Perempuan listed six forms of sexual violence against women: rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual control, sexual torture and sexually charged punishment. The bill also stipulates a maximum sentence of 15 years' imprisonment for those convicted of sex crimes. It also included several articles that provide better protection for rape victims.

Meanwhile, House legislation council chairman Supratman Andi Agtas argued that the sexual violence bill lacked an academic paper. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2016/05/04/despite-rampant-sexual-violence-bill-remains-low-priority.html.