Victims rights<\/p>\n
Crimes, especially in urban centers such as Jakarta, have not
\nonly increased in number and frequency but also in brutality.
\nThis trend has sparked public anger and an attendant boost in
\nsympathy for the victims.<\/p>\n
The latest incident of brutality was inflicted in July on the
\nfamily of Acan, a poor farmer living in Bekasi, 30 km south of
\nJakarta. Acan's wife and his two underaged daughters were pulled
\nout of bed and mercilessly gang-raped.<\/p>\n
Before that, Herbin Hutagalung suffered a no less bitter
\nexperience when his wife, elder sister, daughter and two sons
\nwere murdered in Pondok Gede, East Jakarta, last year.<\/p>\n
The suspected rapists in the Bekasi case will soon stand trial
\nwith all their rights respected. They will be flanked by defense
\nlawyers and receive a fair trial.<\/p>\n
Herbin Hutagalung, on the other hand, is still weeping over
\nthe tragic loss of his family. Many people seem to have forgotten
\nhis ordeal, though not the police, who still are hunting for the
\nkiller.<\/p>\n
These stomach-wrenching acts should not only have stung our
\nemotions, but should also force us to think about the rights and
\nthe fate of all crime victims. What, for example, will happen to
\nthe rest of a family if the sole breadwinner is murdered or the
\nchildren raped?<\/p>\n
The wife of a murdered husband will no doubt have to struggle
\nto make ends meet. In many cases she will have to ask the
\nchildren to quit school and help at home, which would at least
\nspare the children the discomfort they would inevitably feel back
\nin school.<\/p>\n
These poor creatures could possibly lose all hope of being
\nable to lead a normal life, suffering for far longer than the
\njail terms dealt to the perpetrators of the crime.<\/p>\n
In Acan's case, the simple-minded farmer has decided to stay
\nat home indefinitely, not only because of the trauma but because
\nevery time he goes out he is bombarded with questions from local
\nresidents about what happened and how.<\/p>\n
From a humanitarian point of view, certain television stations
\nand newspapers may not have acted prudently by giving the case so
\nmuch coverage, interviewing and exposing the rape victims. It is
\npossible that the media did not stop to think about the future of
\nthe ill-fated women.<\/p>\n
This country, in its own way, is moving to give better care to
\ndestitute citizens. Now it is time to think about the fate of
\ncrime victims such as Acan and Herbin Hutagalung. Every thinking
\nperson loathes seeing the victims suffer. But pity is not enough.<\/p>\n
To overcome the psychological side of such human tragedies the
\nauthorities need to set up consultation centers for victims of
\nrape, torture and other forms of cruelty.<\/p>\n
Our lawmakers need to take action. They should assign the
\nMinistry of Social Affairs the task of developing special laws
\nand funds to help reduce the rising frequency of these heinous
\ncrimes.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/victims-rights-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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