Psychiatrist says law ignores rape victims

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)