Govt criticized for failing to address domestic violence
Govt criticized for failing to address domestic violence
Dewi Santoso, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A renowned women's organization criticized the government on
Wednesday for its lack of effort in curbing domestic violence
against women during 2003.
In its year-end statement, the Legal Aid Institute of Justice
for Indonesian Women (LBH-APIK) said cases of domestic abuse
against women were rampant, despite the fact that the amended
Constitution recognizes human rights.
LBH-APIK director Vonny Reyneta said domestic abuse topped the
list of cases of violence reported to the institute.
"In 2003, we received reports of 280 cases of violence against
women, 70 of which were physical abuse, 124 psychological, 85
economic and one sexual," Vonny said.
Overall, she explained, LBH-APIK registered 627 cases, 279 of
which were reported in person, 159 via a telephone consultation,
four via letter, 33 via e-mail, 144 through radio and eight by
victims' friends.
She asserted that women and children continually fell victim
to domestic violence. However, the institute had noticed signs of
improvement because although many women considered domestic abuse
a "private" matter, they were now becoming more outspoken about
it.
However, Vonny said, women could not view the increased
outspokenness as a sign of relief as cases of domestic abuse were
on the rise.
"It proves that the government still pays insufficient
attention to protection of women and children from abuse," said
Vonny.
She recalled the case of two wives who were abused by their
husbands, but instead, the court found the women guilty and
sentenced them to four years in jail each.
"We are now lodging an appeal on behalf of both women," Vonny
told the media.
She blamed the weakness of the country's legal system for
allowing domestic violence to flourish and warned that this could
lead to victims trying to take justice into their own hands,
including the killing of their spouses.
Another member of LBH-APIK, Veronica, said thus far there was
no real commitment shown by the government to respond to domestic
abuse of women and children.
"Indonesia has a lot of homework to do to improve its human
rights record in 2004, especially in protection of women and
children," she said.
Cases handled by LBH-APIK
Status Number
Police investigation 17
Prosecutor's investigation 2
Trial (district court) 17
Trial (religious court) 1
Appeal (high court) 13
Appeal (high religious court) 1
Appeal (Supreme Court) 7
Total 58
Source: LBH-APIK