Criminal code to change definition of rape<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): When is a rape not rape?<\/p>\n
Based on the Criminal Code, many rapes would not be considered
\na rape in court.<\/p>\n
Prominent lawyer and woman activist Nursyahbani Katjasungkana
\nsaid Article 285 of the Criminal Code vaguely defined rape as
\nonly applicable when the victim was not related to the assailant.<\/p>\n
"The rapist is not considered a rapist here if the man is the
\nwoman's husband," Nursyahbani said during a talk on sexual
\nharassment and human reproduction over the weekend.<\/p>\n
This will hopefully change soon under a new Criminal Code, a
\ndraft of which has already been prepared, with a more all-
\nencompassing definition of rape.<\/p>\n
One definition includes a requirement that the sexual partner
\nmust be a consenting adult.<\/p>\n
"Rape is categorized into seven acts in the new draft law,"
\nNursyahbani said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
They are sexual acts committed without the consent of the
\nparty, without the desire of the other party, sex with a minor
\naged 14 years and below, oral sex, anal sex, sex utilizing tools
\nor any kind of material, including drugs, and incest.<\/p>\n
While lauding the progressive nature of the definition of rape
\nin the draft, Nursyahbani lamented the leniency of the punishment
\nwhich remains unchanged. A convicted rapist receives a maximum
\n12-year jail term.<\/p>\n
The sole new addition in the draft proposes setting a minimum
\nthree-month jail term for rape offenders.<\/p>\n
Among the sponsors at the talk at the Bulungan Youth Center in
\nSouth Jakarta on Saturday were local youth magazine Aneka Yess!
\nand Marina local cosmetics.<\/p>\n
Nuniek H. Musawa of the magazine said similar educational
\nseminars on teenage topics would be held twice a month, beginning
\nthat Saturday, and would be advertised beforehand in the media.<\/p>\n
Harrasment<\/p>\n
Speaking to an audience of 500 mostly teenage girls,
\nNursyahbani described conduct experienced on the street or at
\nwork that could be categorized as sexual harassment.<\/p>\n
The behavior included suggestive whistling, persistent talk
\nabout sexual topics, repeated requests for a date regardless of a
\nturndown, continual personal questions about an individual's sex
\nlife, refusal to hire someone on the basis of their gender, and
\nthe demand for sexual favors in return for help.<\/p>\n
"Anything that's unwanted, unwelcomed attention is sexual
\nharassment, even touching, hugging and kissing; anything that
\nmakes you think 'this is not right'," Nursyahbani said.<\/p>\n
To avoid harassment, one should avoid walking alone at night,
\nbe assertive and wear clothes that do not invite attention, she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Indrawati, a gynecologist who also addressed the gathering,
\nadded that women should equip themselves with self-defense tools
\nsuch as matches, scissors and deodorant sprays.<\/p>\n
"Try not to look confused if you are in a strange place... be
\nvigilant," she said.<\/p>\n
In her short explanation of the reproductive organs, Indrawati
\ndiscouraged the young audience from engaging in premarital sex,
\nsaying that condoms were no guarantee against pregnancy.(ylt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/criminal-code-to-change-definition-of-rape-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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