Center to help victims of domestic violence

JAKARTA (JP): Women who are victims of domestic abuse should not hesitate to bring their cases to crisis centers, anthropologist Sally Nasution said yesterday.

"Domestic violence should not be considered a private matter anymore when the public and law cannot intervene," said Sally, who recently founded Mitra Perempuan (Women's Partner), a women's crisis center in Jakarta.

"Beatings and other forms of violence are criminal offenses," she said.

"Violence towards women is mostly conducted by people who are close to the victims, such as husbands, brothers and employers.

"This is why victims are often reluctant to report to police," said Sally, who formerly worked with LKBHWK, a women and family legal avocation group.

"Besides, many women feel it's taboo to disclose a family secret," she added.

Children also fall prey to domestic abuse, Sally said. "We also intervene if children are risked in parental disputes."

Mitra Perempuan, founded in April with the help of the Ford Foundation, is the second crisis center to open in the capital in the past nine months. Rumah Ibu (Mother's Home) was opened in December and is run by some activists from Kalyana Mitra, a women's non-governmental organization.

Mitra is run by eight staff members, including volunteers. It operates a hot line and a temporary shelter for abused women.

"We can be reached at 8298421. We are available around the clock," Sally said. She declined to give the center's address to the public to protect the victims.

Since it opened three months ago, the center has received many calls and is now handling eight cases.

The center also provides family therapy and counseling.

The center, in cooperation with the Women's Association for Justice (APIK), helps victims prepare lawsuits against abusers.

Other founders of Mitra Perempuan include Nursyahbani Katjasungkana, Purnianti, Rita S. Kalibonso, Farida Mochtar, Salsia Ulfa and Muktiwardhani.

The idea about opening the center came after many of the founders participated in the international NGO Forum on Women in Beijing, in 1995, which called for action against violence toward women and to uphold women' rights.

"More and more women are becoming aware of their rights," Sally said. (04)