Bandung captivity case prompts calls for stronger protection of women

Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) Maman Imanulhaq has called for the strengthening of the protection system for women and children following the case of captivity and torture of a woman with the initials YTR in Bandung Regency, West Java. In a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, Maman urged the reinforcement of the system through enhanced public education, cross-sector coordination, and synergy among stakeholders. “Commission VIII requests the strengthening of the protection system for women and children, increased public education, and stronger synergy between law enforcement, the government, and civil society so that similar cases do not recur,” he said. According to him, the case cannot be viewed as an ordinary incident because, besides causing physical and psychological suffering to the victim, it also demonstrates the persistent weakness of a protection system that should be capable of detecting and preventing violence at an early stage. He assessed that the alleged captivity, which is believed to have lasted for about three years without detection, must serve as a collective evaluation point. “There must never be a situation where a family member or close relative disappears for so long without any report being made. Public education is crucial so that the community becomes the front line in protecting its family members,” he stated. Maman also stressed the importance of building family resilience as the first bastion in preventing violence against women and children. He said good communication within the family can help detect various forms of violence and threats experienced by family members at an earlier stage. Furthermore, Maman said his commission has asked the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection to give special attention to the handling of this case. He asserted that the protection of women and children is a shared responsibility that must involve all elements of the nation. “Do not let this incident happen again. Stop violence by anyone, against anyone, and in the name of anything. Protecting women and children must be the shared responsibility of all components of the nation,” he emphasised. Meanwhile, the West Java Regional Police stated they will issue a wanted list (DPO) for a man with the initials TH, who is suspected of holding captive and abusing YTR (29) in Bandung Regency for approximately three years. Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Senior Commissioner Hendra Rochmawan, said investigators are currently completing the process of naming the suspect before issuing the DPO. He said the West Java Police have formed a joint team to pursue the suspected perpetrator, who has not yet been arrested. The case came to light after the victim’s family received a WhatsApp message from an unknown person informing them that the victim was at the Emergency Department of Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung. When found, the victim had severe injuries to her head, face, and legs, as well as minor injuries to her hands.