Domestic violence bill may not act as deterrent<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The domestic violence bill now being debated at the House of
\nRepresentatives does not spell out minimum penalties, raising
\nfears that it will fail to act as a deterrent.<\/p>\n
The latest draft approved by the House legislators and the
\ngovernment says domestic violence carries a maximum prison
\nsentence of 12 years or a Rp 36 million (US$3,913) fine.<\/p>\n
Deliana Sayuti, deputy chairwoman of the National Commission
\non Women said on Tuesday the fine imposed on perpetrators of
\ndomestic violence was too lenient.<\/p>\n
\"I think people would opt to pay Rp 36 million as opposed to
\nstaying in prison for 12 years. The prison term and the fine is
\nnot equal,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Rita Serena Kolibonso from women's advocacy group Mitra
\nPerempuan criticized the bill for its conflicting and vague
\narticles that could lead to various interpretations.<\/p>\n
Taking an example, she said the domestic violence bill
\nclassifies nonconsensual intercourse with \"another person\" living
\nin the home as domestic violence.<\/p>\n
\"From the linguistic point of view, the wording is open to
\ninterpretation. Wording is very important during a trial,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Surya Chandra Surapaty, deputy chairman of House Commission
\nVII for health, social issues and population, said the bill
\ndefines domestic violence as violence, be it physical,
\npsychological or sexual, that occurs between husbands, wives,
\nchildren, and other people who are living in a house, and those
\nwho are employed in the house.<\/p>\n
The bill defines sexual violence as nonconsensual intercourse
\ntargeting a person who lives in the same house.<\/p>\n
Physical violence carries a prison term of up to five years or
\na Rp 15 million fine, but if it causes serious injury to the
\nvictim the penalty will be raised to a maximum of 10 years
\nimprisonment and a fine of up to Rp 30 million. If the violence
\nclaims a life, the perpetrator will face 15 years in prison or a
\nRp 45 million fine.<\/p>\n
Violence committed by a husband against his wife or vice versa
\nthat does not inflict injury carries a prison term of four months
\nor a maximum fine of Rp 4 million.<\/p>\n
Separately, another legislator, Aisyah Baidhowi, claimed the
\nbill had accommodated the interests of the victims. She added
\nthose charged with domestic violence would be prosecuted in
\naccordance with the Criminal Law Procedures Code.<\/p>\n
The lawmakers will convene for final stage of deliberation of
\nthe bill on Wednesday. Aisyah expects the House to pass the bill
\nbefore its term ends on Sept. 30.<\/p>",
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