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