Bandung captivity case prompts calls for stronger protection of women
Jakarta (ANTARA) - A member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Maman Imanulhaq, has requested the strengthening of protection systems for women and children following the case of confinement and torture of a woman, identified by the initials YTR, in Bandung Regency, West Java.
Maman, in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, urged the reinforcement of protection systems for women and children through increased public education, cross-sector coordination, and synergy between stakeholders.
“Commission VIII requests the strengthening of the protection system for women and children, increased public education, and stronger synergy between law enforcement agencies, 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 event because, in addition to causing physical and psychological suffering for the victim, it also demonstrates the continued weakness of a protection system that should be able to detect and prevent violence at an early stage.
He assessed that the confinement, which allegedly lasted for approximately three years without being detected, must serve as a subject for collective evaluation.
“We must ensure that no family member or close acquaintance disappears for such a long time without any report being made. Education for the community is vital so that they can serve as the front line in protecting their family members,” he said.
Maman also emphasised the importance of building family resilience as the first bastion in preventing violence against women and children.
According to him, good communication within the family can help in the early detection of various forms of violence and threats experienced by family members.
Furthermore, Mamin stated that his office has requested the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection to provide special attention to the handling of this case.
Moreover, Maman asserted that the protection of women and children is a shared responsibility that must involve all elements of the nation.
“We must 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 said.
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 confining and abusing YTR (29) in Bandung Regency for approximately three years.
The Head of Public Relations for the West Java Regional Police, Kombes Pol. Hendra Rochmawan, said investigators are currently in the process of designating a suspect before issuing the wanted list for the alleged perpetrator.
According to him, the West Java Regional Police have formed a joint team to pursue the suspect, who has not yet been apprehended.
The case came to light after the victim’s family received a WhatsApp message from an unknown individual informing them that the victim was in the Emergency Department of the Hasan Sadikin Hospital (RSHS) in Bandung.
Upon being found, the victim suffered severe injuries to the head, face, and legs, as well as minor injuries to the hands.