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Women activists urge govt to pass bill on sexual assault
Jakarta Post - December 10, 2015
The bill has been designed to impose stricter punishments on perpetrators of sexual violence. The bill also seeks to provide better protection for sexual assault victims. The bill identifies six types of sexual violence: rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual control, sexual torture and sexually charged punishment.
"It's important to raise awareness about sexual violence because victims are getting younger and younger," the petition's coordinator, 25-year-old Latifa "Tyas" Widura Retyaningtyas, told The Jakarta Post during a gathering at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle in Central Jakarta over the weekend. As of Wednesday almost 4,000 people had signed the petition.
Many have criticized the existing Article 285 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on rape, which defines rape as only occurring when penetration takes place. "The approval of the sexual violence bill is urgent. There have been many new cases lately and it's very worrisome for the victims," Tyas said.
One visitor, a 16-year-old high school student named Hani, said that she did not want to feel unsafe as a young girl in Jakarta. "I always feel anxious when I leave home, especially after reading news about an assault that happened recently. I don't feel safe," she said.
Hani was referring to a case from late November when a 23-year-old woman was assaulted as she left her office in Pondok Indah, Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta at around 4:30 p.m. She had been crossing a nearby pedestrian bridge when a man approached her, threatened her and eventually sexually assaulted her. She also lost her phone and Rp 200,000 (US$14.44) in cash to the perpetrator, she said.
Hani, who signed the petition, demanded that the government pass the sexual violence bill. "At least I want to know that I am protected by the government," she said.
Furthermore, 22-year-old Prilly Charlotta, who also signed the petition, said that the current law on rape and sexual harassment was too weak and does not side with the victim. She said that most sexual abuse and harassment cases she knew of ended up blaming the victims instead.
"Many cases end up blaming the victim for wearing shorts or for being out late. This is inhumane and unjustifiable," Prilly said.
The sexual assault case of a bus passenger last year by four male Transjakarta officers resulted in a short 18-month prison term for the four convicted men. During the trial, the panel of judges questioned the female passenger about why she wore short pants the day she was assaulted, as if wearing short pants was the reason why she was assaulted.
Separately, 45-year-old signatory Tri Sarwono said that aside from the sexual violence bill itself, both men and women must be educated to increase their awareness of sexual violence.
"Not many people understand sexual violence. Many experience it without knowing that they are [victims], which is why there are many cases left unreported. I think residents should be educated, whether by the government or by organizations that understand this issue," Tri said.
The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) recorded 293,220 cases of violence against women in 2014, up from 279,760 cases in the previous year.
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