Endorsement for a New Bill on Sexual Violence Prevention, Why Is It Needed?

Jago Los

Indonesia and Human Rights Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defense.

To commemorate Human Rights Day, the National Commission on Violence Against Women of Indonesia (Komnas Perempuan) has endorsed the Indonesian House of Representatives on developments in the field of women’s rights. [1] The legislative body has recently ensured the continued progress of the sexual violence prevention bill that has been in the making for several years. What the exact ensured progress contains remains unclear.

In Indonesia, sexual violence is the second most common form of violence, after physical violence [2]. In 2019, 431,471 cases of sexual violence were registered in Indonesia. [3]

Currently, Indonesian law against sexual violence remains limited in its reach and effects. The main instrument which protects victims of sexual violence is the Indonesian Criminal Code. The law, however, has been considered an instrument of colonial legislation, as it was adopted during Indonesia’s Dutch colonial period and has not been adequately adapted to modern times. [4] It is hoped that the new prevention bill will bring much-needed change.

Sources and further reading:

[1] Anita Permata D, Nabil Ihsan, ‘Progress of Sexual Violence Prevention Bill Offers Hope for victims’ (Antara News, 13 December 2021) https://en.antaranews.com/news/204301/progress-of-sexual-violence-prevention-bill-offers-hope-for-victims Accessed 13 December 2021

[2] Andi Misbahul Pratiwi & Nikodemus Niko, ‘Spilling the tea on Sexual Violence’ (Inside Indonesia, 17 November 2021) https://www.insideindonesia.org/spilling-the-tea-on-sexual-violence Accessed 13 December 2021

[3] Ricarda Gerlach, ‘The fight to outlaw sexual violence in Indonesia’ (Inside Indonesia. 25 November 2021) https://www.insideindonesia.org/the-fight-to-outlaw-sexual-violence-in-indonesia Accessed 13 December 2021

[4] Unknown, ‘Eliminating sexual violence in Indonesia: A crisis of victim-blaming and religious conservatism’ (Young Australians in International Affairs, 5 May 2019) https://www.youngausint.org.au/post/2019/05/05/eliminating-sexual-violence-in-indonesia-a-crisis-of-victim-blaming-and-religious-conserv Accessed 13 December 2021