Government backs tough domestic violence bill<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government has thrown its support behind the domestic
\nviolence bill drafted by the House of Representatives (DPR) and
\nhas called for its quick deliberation to strengthen legal
\nprotection for women and children.<\/p>\n
State Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemaryoto
\nsaid on Wednesday that the bill stipulated harsh punishment for
\nperpetrators of crimes against women.<\/p>\n
\"We hope the bill can be proposed and discussed in the coming
\nsitting period of the House, and we see eagerness from
\nlegislators to immediately discuss the bill,\" Sri Redjeki said
\nafter a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri to report
\non preparations for the planned celebration of Women's Day on
\nDec. 22.<\/p>\n
The House is currently in recess and is scheduled to reconvene
\non Jan. 13.<\/p>\n
\"The draft may sound exclusively for women, but actually it
\nalso provides protection for children and men as it covers
\neverybody in the family,\" Sri said.<\/p>\n
The incidence of violence against women and children remains
\nhigh in Indonesia, as poverty and lack of education sustain human
\ntrafficking, sexual abuse and other forms of violence.<\/p>\n
Domestic violence accounted for 60 percent of reported abuses
\nagainst women in Indonesia in 2001.<\/p>\n
The data was gathered by several non-governmental
\norganizations from victims treated in several government crisis
\ncenters. Only a few victims were willing to file legal complaints
\nregarding the violence.<\/p>\n
Deputy minister of women's empowerment Abdul Azis Hoesein said
\nthat the bill allowed domestic violence to be reported to police
\nwithout necessarily waiting for complaints from the victims.<\/p>\n
\"If a neighbor sees a case of abuse, he or she can report the
\nincident to police,\" Abdul said.<\/p>\n
He also said that as long as there was enough evidence of
\nphysical abuse police would continue investigating even if a
\nvictim withdrew her legal complaint.<\/p>\n
\"The draft also stipulates harsher legal punishment as in the
\nCriminal Code,\" Abdul said.<\/p>\n
Articles 286, 287, 289, 290 and 291 of the Criminal Code,
\nwhich cover domestic violence, recommend a maximum penalty of 15
\nyears imprisonment for perpetrators.<\/p>\n
Regarding the commemoration of Women's Day, Sri Redjeki said a
\nceremony would be held at the State Palace, proceeded by a number
\nof seminars and discussion on empowering women economically and
\nsocially.<\/p>\n
\"The President highlighted the importance of reducing the
\nincidence of violence against women, especially in tackling human
\ntrafficking and illegal migrant workers,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-backs-tough-domestic-violence-bill-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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