Government backs tough domestic violence bill

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.