House Commission Urges LPSK to Proactively Protect Victim in Bandung Confinement Case

Deputy Chair of House Commission XIII, Dewi Asmara, has urged the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) to be more proactive in protecting victims of violence, specifically addressing the confinement and abuse case of a woman with the initials YTR in Bandung Regency, West Java. She stated that the Law on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims (UU PSDK) clearly mandates LPSK to take initiative rather than passively waiting for reports when a victim is known to need protection. “The Witness and Victim Protection Law orders LPSK to ‘pick up the ball’, not wait for it. Protection for victims must be carried out proactively when there is information or indications of serious threats,” Dewi said in a statement on Wednesday (24/6). She questioned the steps taken by LPSK in handling YTR’s case, arguing that victims under duress and in vulnerable conditions often lack the ability or courage to independently access protection services. “The victim may not know where to report, may not understand the protection mechanism, and may still be under pressure and in fear. It is precisely in such conditions that LPSK must take the initiative,” she stressed. Dewi explained that the law authorises LPSK to directly reach out to victims, assess threats, and provide protection without waiting for a formal request or recommendation. She deemed it inappropriate for procedural reasons to hinder swift action in urgent cases. Furthermore, she insisted the proactive approach must include concrete actions such as providing safe houses, emergency protection, psychological support, and comprehensive legal aid. She also requested LPSK to strengthen coordination with the Bandung Police and local government to ensure the victim receives comprehensive recovery services throughout the legal process. “Parliament will not remain silent if the rights of violence victims are ignored. This case must serve as a reminder that victim protection is a state responsibility that cannot be delayed,” she concluded.