Woman's Confinement in Bandung Reflects Deeply Rooted Patriarchal Ideology

The case of confinement and abuse against YSR for approximately three years in a rented house in Bandung has seized public attention and raised fundamental questions about the roots of violence against women in Indonesia. Sociologist Sigit Rohadi from Universitas Nasional assesses that this case of violence against women cannot be explained solely from the psychological aspect of the perpetrator, but is rooted in a patriarchal ideology deeply embedded in the social structure. Sigit explained that sadistic behaviour often perpetrated by men against women stems from the belief that men are the rulers and setters of norms within the family and relationships. “Sadistic behaviour is often carried out by men against women. This behaviour is rooted in patriarchal ideology, that men are the rulers and setters of norms in the family. In such a situation, men become the centre of everything and therefore their behaviour is often uncontrolled,” Sigit told Media Indonesia on Wednesday (24/6). In YSR’s case specifically, Sigit noted the phenomenon is more accurately termed trauma bonding, a pattern where the victim and perpetrator build a bond of love, violence occurs, then they reconcile and fall in love again, before the violence repeats. “YSR had the opportunity to escape given she was confined in a place that was not too closed off or tight. But she had a love relationship and was hesitant to let go of that relationship. In this case, patriarchal ideology helped form the trauma bonding,” he explained. Sigit also cautioned the public against falling into a narrative that frames the perpetrator as a person with a mental disorder. He considers such framing dangerous because it could be exploited as an alibi to lighten or avoid punishment. “The public should not deflect this incident by discoursing that the perpetrator has symptoms of mental illness. This could be used as an alibi by the perpetrator to escape punishment. I am convinced the perpetrator was conscious and did it repeatedly to show his superiority,” Sigit asserted. Regarding gaps in the protection system for women, Sigit believes the presence of regulations such as the Anti-Domestic Violence Law and the Sexual Violence Crime Law is not yet sufficient to change the reality on the ground. Socio-cultural values reinforced by religious beliefs still position gender inequality as something considered normal, making patriarchal ideology very difficult to erode even as pro-women policies continue to be championed. Therefore, Sigit urged the state not only to strengthen law enforcement and victim support but also to seriously intervene in the socio-cultural values that have become fertile ground for the growth of violence against women.