Woman judges set to be mandatory in rape cases
Woman judges set to be mandatory in rape cases
JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to issue a regulation
requiring at least one of the three judges presiding over rape
trials be a woman.
State Minister of the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar
Parawansa said here on Wednesday she presented her proposal to
concerned ministers and received their support.
"Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra
personally approved the idea and will consent to draft the
regulation," Khofifah said during a media conference which also
was attended by First Lady Sinta Nuriah.
Khofifah, who told journalists she preferred her office to be
called the empowerment of women rather than women's affairs, said
that during her discussions with Yusril she was asked if she
would like to propose that all judges in rape trials be women.
She said victims of rape had gone through a devastating
experience and deserved special treatment in the handling of
their cases.
She defined special treatment as having female counselors and
officials handle rape cases from their initial reporting and
investigation to the trial.
"From the filing of the case to the court room, the victim
should be assisted by women officials," Khofifah said.
She said this would help women overcome their trauma and make
them feel more at ease in recounting their case and testifying in
court.
"The presence of a female judge hopefully can help overcome
problems," she said.
Khofifah said Yusril also told her the new ruling could be
issued as an individual regulation, not a joint ministerial
decision.
Blame
During the media conference, the first time the first lady has
spoken directly during such an event, Sinta Nuriah called on the
media to stop exploiting women, including the sensationalist
reporting of sex crimes.
"Offenses against women not only occur in the family, the
community and the work place, but are also committed by the
media," the first lady said, noting that many soap operas and
publications portrayed women as sex objects.
She chided the media for failing to cover the numerous women
who are leading intellectuals in the country.
"The media can help improve gender awareness among the general
public and avoid making the issue look like a feminist campaign,"
she said, stressing that such issues should not be the sole
responsibility of feminists.
She said, however, that greater public awareness could only
succeed if women themselves began to respect themselves.
She berated those women who elected to become prostitutes
because of the lure of money. "Being a prostitute was sometimes
not their last option in life."
Khofifah said changing the name of her office was part of the
effort to eradicate erroneous images of women.
"When I was appointed, I asked the President to give me the
authority for one-door policies. This means that all 14
ministries and two state ministers will abide by the policies
from this office concerning women's issues," she said. (04)
JAKARTA (JP): The government plans to issue a regulation
requiring at least one of the three judges presiding over rape
trials be a woman.
State Minister of the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar
Parawansa said here on Wednesday she presented her proposal to
concerned ministers and received their support.
"Minister of Law and Legislation Yusril Ihza Mahendra
personally approved the idea and will consent to draft the
regulation," Khofifah said during a media conference which also
was attended by First Lady Sinta Nuriah.
Khofifah, who told journalists she preferred her office to be
called the empowerment of women rather than women's affairs, said
that during her discussions with Yusril she was asked if she
would like to propose that all judges in rape trials be women.
She said victims of rape had gone through a devastating
experience and deserved special treatment in the handling of
their cases.
She defined special treatment as having female counselors and
officials handle rape cases from their initial reporting and
investigation to the trial.
"From the filing of the case to the court room, the victim
should be assisted by women officials," Khofifah said.
She said this would help women overcome their trauma and make
them feel more at ease in recounting their case and testifying in
court.
"The presence of a female judge hopefully can help overcome
problems," she said.
Khofifah said Yusril also told her the new ruling could be
issued as an individual regulation, not a joint ministerial
decision.
Blame
During the media conference, the first time the first lady has
spoken directly during such an event, Sinta Nuriah called on the
media to stop exploiting women, including the sensationalist
reporting of sex crimes.
"Offenses against women not only occur in the family, the
community and the work place, but are also committed by the
media," the first lady said, noting that many soap operas and
publications portrayed women as sex objects.
She chided the media for failing to cover the numerous women
who are leading intellectuals in the country.
"The media can help improve gender awareness among the general
public and avoid making the issue look like a feminist campaign,"
she said, stressing that such issues should not be the sole
responsibility of feminists.
She said, however, that greater public awareness could only
succeed if women themselves began to respect themselves.
She berated those women who elected to become prostitutes
because of the lure of money. "Being a prostitute was sometimes
not their last option in life."
Khofifah said changing the name of her office was part of the
effort to eradicate erroneous images of women.
"When I was appointed, I asked the President to give me the
authority for one-door policies. This means that all 14
ministries and two state ministers will abide by the policies
from this office concerning women's issues," she said. (04)