Fri, 20 Oct 1995

Women's Center

This is in response to the letter from S. Hansyah entitled 'Worrying mother' (The Jakarta Post, Oct. 17, 1995), a reprinted version from Kompas.

Unfortunately the brutality and prevalence of rape being reported in the media as you detail in your letter of concern to the editor is the stark reality of our society. Your daughter, your sister, yourself could become a victim.

I can relate to your stated feelings of worry, sadness, anger, hatred and sickness which prompt your question as to who is taking action. Our center, Rifka Annisa Women's Crisis Center, Yogyakarta, under the foundation of Yayasan Sakina works with female survivors of violence, not just rape, but domestic violence, sexual harassment and all other manifestations of violence inflicted upon all women of all socioeconomic status and religious affiliations and ethnic origins.

Rifka Annisa is a group of women who do not tolerate violence against women and are committed to empowering survivors of violence. The Center conducts training which focuses on broadening women's skills and insight, both survivors and workers, into addressing the prevalence of violence.

The center also conducts lectures/discussions based upon sociopolitical perceptions of women in order to enhance society's consciousness and provide the impetus to then take action to fight this injustice.

SUWARNI A. RAHAYU MOHTAR

Rifka Annisa Women's Crisis Center

Yogyakarta