Rape victims to receive counseling

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Women's Congress has established a foundation to counsel women who have been victimized by men.

Maria Abdul Karim, the organization's law department head, told members of House of Representatives Commission VIII for social welfare that the organization set up the foundation in July to help victims get through the trauma of violence.

"In operating the Sahabat Perempuan Foundation, the Women's Congress is assisted by the Criminology Department of the School of Social and Political Sciences of the University of Indonesia, the Foundation of Children's Rights Protection and the police," Maria said.

According to Kuraisin Sumhadi, a vice chairwoman of the congress, assistance is still limited to consultation.

"We will surely want to improve the operation of this foundation in the future," she said.

Maria said that the foundation helps female victims of violent crime, like rape.

Anisswati MK, the congress' human resource department head, said the foundation will also help female workers whose rights have been violated in other countries.

"We will also try to explain to the workers their rights and obligations," she said.

The congress cooperates with the Ministry of Manpower, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the House of Representatives, the administration and businesspeople in their crusade to prevent violence and sexual harassment of female workers, she added.

Anisswati said some members of the congress and officials from the State Minister of Women's Roles have met several Indonesian women who were raped in Saudi Arabia.

Maria said that the foundation has been supported by a group of volunteer psychologists and psychiatrists.

Kuraisin added that the foundation intends to help criminals overcome their psychological problems. (05)