National Commission on Violence Against Women Reveals 'Delayed Justice' Phenomenon: Why Do Many Domestic Violence Victims End Up Being Criminalised?

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has revealed the sobering reality of the ‘delayed in justice’ phenomenon, in which justice is postponed for wives reporting cases of Domestic Violence (KDRT). Deputy Chair Ratna Batara Munti explained that women often experience ill-treatment when confronting the law. Barriers include reports not being processed, pressure to withdraw the report, and threats of the victims being criminalised by the perpetrators. ‘When the perpetrator files a counter-complaint against the victim, the woman becomes a person in conflict with the law, and that report is processed more quickly by law enforcement authorities,’ Ratna said at the launch of the 2025 Annual Note (CATAHU) in Jakarta on Friday, 6 March 2026. Layered Vulnerability and Ignoring History of Violence Ratna lamented the tendency of law enforcement to overlook the long history of violence experienced by victims over many years. She noted that this vulnerability is even more layered for women who are in siri informal marriages or mixed marriages. Data Kekerasan 2025 In the 2025 Annual Note release, Komnas Perempuan revealed that the form of violence against women most commonly reported in 2025 was sexual violence, with 22,848 cases. ‘The most prevalent form of violence against women in 2025 was sexual violence with 22,848 cases, followed by psychological violence with 15,727 cases, physical violence 14,126 cases, and economic violence 5,942 cases,’ Ratna said. She also stated that the data show violence against women in 2025 rose by 14.07 percent to a total of 376,529 cases. Additionally, the number of direct complaints received by Komnas Perempuan rose by 10 percent to 4,597 cases. With this volume, Komnas Perempuan averages about 19 cases per day. All citizens, including campus communities, should be encouraged to continue to create safe spaces through various joint initiatives. Improving family welfare must be realised as part of building a protection system for women and children from acts of violence. LAB 45 urged President Prabowo Subianto to take more serious steps to strengthen protections for women and victims of violence. Chair of Komnas Perempuan Maria Ulfah Anshor cited patriarchy in society as a key factor hindering reporting of violence against women and children. Measurable efforts to realise a movement to address the emergency of violence against women and children must be implemented promptly. Recovery for Saudah must include health, psychological, and social guarantees, given the victim’s status as a vulnerable group. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) condemned the viral incident of violence at a school involving a student at SMKN 3 Tanjung Jabung Timur, in which a teacher was implicated. Through a personal Instagram post on Wednesday (28/8), Go Min Si denied ever having committed violence while a middle-school student. Meanwhile, the average number of reported cases of violence against women and children stood at 47 per month from January to May 2025. Through the ToT Program Tagar Ayo Balas Baik, 20 new facilitators are expected to be produced who will be ready to become agents of change in campaigning against anti-violence in the education sector.