Psychiatrist says law ignores rape victims

JAKARTA (JP): A noted psychiatrist charged over the weekend that law enforcers often fail to consider the psychological trauma suffered by rape victims and allow rapists to get away with light punishment.

Dr. Dadang Hawari pointed out in a seminar on Saturday the importance of realizing that psychological trauma is often more severe than psychical injury, and that it can take years to heal.

The professor of psychiatry at the University of Indonesia's School of Medicine pointed out that it's crucial for investigators to do psychological examinations of rape victims in order to gain a better understanding of the impact of the violation.

"Psychological examinations will also help the court in determining a fair and severe punishment for the rapists," said Dadang, who chairs the Indonesian Psychiatrists' Association.

Under Article 285 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, rape is a crime punishable by up to 12 years of imprisonment.

Observers and women rights advocates have often criticized the punishment as being too lenient. For instance, a 15-year-old boy was sentenced to four years in prison by the Central Jakarta District Court last month for raping three girls, two of whom were five years old and the other seven.

Dadang pointed out that most rape victims suffer from post- traumatic stress disorder. They experience insomnia and have nightmares, and become fearful. Many even avoid reading the newspapers out of fear that something will remind them of the rape.

Victims may also suffer from psychological "numbness".

"Rape victims often blame themselves for surviving after the rape," Dadang said.

The post-traumatic disorder may become even more unbearable in a society such as Indonesia's, where virginity is still considered very important. "Many women felt they had lost everything after they were raped," Dadang said. "They needed therapy."

Legal expert Nursyahbani Katjasungkana welcomed the increasing public attention to problems such as sexual harassment and abuse, as well as rape, in the country.

"Thanks to the mass media, people are more aware of the issues," she said. "The media can impose social punishment on harassers, abusers or rapists who get only light legal punishment."

Jakarta Police Force records indicate that there were 42 rapes reported in the city between January and May this year. Last year, 1,219 women were raped across the country. (ste)