Komnas Perempuan Responds to Sampang Sexual Violence Case

WAKIL Ketua Komnas Perempuan, Dahlia Madanih, has expressed deep concern and empathy for the victim and their family in Sampang, East Java, following a prolonged case of sexual violence. “Komnas Perempuan supports all parties in the region to immediately provide integrated, comprehensive, and victim-centred services to ensure protection, recovery, and the fulfilment of the victim’s rights without delay,” she told Media Indonesia on Sunday. In the aftermath of sexual violence, she stressed that all parties must prioritise immediate recovery steps tailored to the victim’s needs, while also providing adequate support to the family as the closest support system. Appropriate and sustainable recovery efforts are a crucial part of fulfilling the victim’s rights and healing from the impact of the violence. Komnas Perempuan also urged that every handling, protection, and recovery effort be guided by victim protection principles, including maintaining the confidentiality of the victim’s identity, respecting the victim’s dignity and best interests, and ensuring that no actions cause stigma, victim-blaming, or other treatment that could worsen the psychological condition and threaten the safety of the victim and their family. The commission supports the police in following up on the case through a comprehensive law enforcement process, applying relevant articles in a layered manner based on the facts and developments of the investigation. Komnas Perempuan also encouraged investigators to optimise the implementation of Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes, particularly the procedural provisions that guarantee the protection and fulfilment of the victim’s rights, including the rights to handling, protection, recovery, and restitution. In every stage of the legal process, it is important to ensure the meaningful participation of the victim and their family, taking into account their needs, safety, and best interests. Komnas Perempuan also urged the Sampang Regency Government to immediately take systematic and sustainable preventive measures to raise public awareness about the dangers and impacts of sexual violence and to strengthen prevention efforts at the community level. These efforts must involve all elements of local government, religious leaders, community leaders, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and the media in building a safe environment free from sexual violence. The local government must also ensure the availability of widely accessible and continuous information regarding reporting mechanisms and complaint, protection, and assistance services for victims or members of the public who witness or experience sexual violence.