Pillory is next best to death for rapists

JAKARTA (JP): The chairperson of the Indonesian Women's Congress (Kowani) supports to idea of pillorying rapists by broadcasting their photographs on television.

Enny Busiri said yesterday that pillorying would be the next best thing to a death sentence for rapists.

"Given that the law in this country does not allow the death penalty for rapists, then showing their faces on television could have the deterrent effect," Enny said as reported by Antara.

Her organization is the umbrella group for over 70 women's organizations in Indonesia.

Minister of Women's Roles Mien Sugandhi first proposed the idea. She has since won wide support from people who think that rapists get off too lightly in court.

Enny said she agreed with the proposal, but stressed that the rapists must first be proven guilty in court before being ostracized publicly on television.

State television TVRI has been announcing the names of people convicted for corruption and broadcasting their photographs for some years now.

Enny said that although she supported such action against rapists, she was more concerned about providing help for rape victims.

"We fully support the idea of establishing some kind of a center to help rape victims, especially in restoring their mental condition after their ordeal," she said.

Kowani is currently preparing an agency to provide consultation for rape victims, although it is avoiding using the term "crisis center"

Enny said the agency will be staffed by Kowani executives, police officers and psychiatrists.

It is expected to start operation next year. (emb)