Government backs tough domestic violence bill

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government has thrown its support behind the domestic violence bill drafted by the House of Representatives (DPR) and has called for its quick deliberation to strengthen legal protection for women and children.

State Minister of Women's Empowerment Sri Redjeki Soemaryoto said on Wednesday that the bill stipulated harsh punishment for perpetrators of crimes against women.

"We hope the bill can be proposed and discussed in the coming sitting period of the House, and we see eagerness from legislators to immediately discuss the bill," Sri Redjeki said after a meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri to report on preparations for the planned celebration of Women's Day on Dec. 22.

The House is currently in recess and is scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 13.

"The draft may sound exclusively for women, but actually it also provides protection for children and men as it covers everybody in the family," Sri said.

The incidence of violence against women and children remains high in Indonesia, as poverty and lack of education sustain human trafficking, sexual abuse and other forms of violence.

Domestic violence accounted for 60 percent of reported abuses against women in Indonesia in 2001.

The data was gathered by several non-governmental organizations from victims treated in several government crisis centers. Only a few victims were willing to file legal complaints regarding the violence.

Deputy minister of women's empowerment Abdul Azis Hoesein said that the bill allowed domestic violence to be reported to police without necessarily waiting for complaints from the victims.

"If a neighbor sees a case of abuse, he or she can report the incident to police," Abdul said.

He also said that as long as there was enough evidence of physical abuse police would continue investigating even if a victim withdrew her legal complaint.

"The draft also stipulates harsher legal punishment as in the Criminal Code," Abdul said.

Articles 286, 287, 289, 290 and 291 of the Criminal Code, which cover domestic violence, recommend a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment for perpetrators.

Regarding the commemoration of Women's Day, Sri Redjeki said a ceremony would be held at the State Palace, proceeded by a number of seminars and discussion on empowering women economically and socially.

"The President highlighted the importance of reducing the incidence of violence against women, especially in tackling human trafficking and illegal migrant workers," she said.