Domestic violence bill receives nod

Domestic violence bill receives nod

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives (DPR) officially
accepted on Tuesday the deliberation of an initial bill on
domestic violence during a plenary session presided over by
deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno.

Chairman of the House's legislative body Zein Badjeber said a
debate remained unsettled among factions on an article regarding
the police's authority to meddle in household affairs.

Zein acknowledged that despite the House agreement, the bill
was not considered a top priority.

The bill modifies an academic paper presented by a coalition
of several non-governmental organizations to the House, due to
their concerns regarding women who are mistreated or abused by
their husbands, but refused to report them to authorities so that
they could keep their marriage intact.

The bill, Zein said, is expected to serve as a tool to charge
husbands who commit domestic violence. -- JP