Women's crisis center

Women's crisis center

In various recent happenings, mainly since security forces
took repressive measures against reform activists on student
campuses and other places, social, economic and political impacts
of a detrimental nature have been strongly felt in the marginal
community. This was apparent when riots occurred at a number of
places and various acts of violence were committed against people
and property in the form of shootings, burnings, extortion,
looting, torture and even various forms of physical and sexual
violence against women.

In Medan, 20 Teachers' Training College students have filed
reports declaring themselves victims of sexual harassment
conducted by police when the girls were leaving their campus to
look for public transportation on May 4. They were subjected to
highly improper treatment. They were undressed, forced to run and
do pushups. Their breasts were pawed. People heard about this and
felt angered and insulted.

In Jakarta, it was reported that various forms of violence and
sexual harassment had taken place during the Trisakti May 12
incident.

Again, other extremely serious incidents occurred during
various riots between May 13 and May 15 in Jakarta and its
peripheral areas. A number of ethnic Chinese women were stripped
of their clothes by a group of people and forced to swim in a
pond in the Daan Mogot area. Rape reportedly took place publicly
at Glodok. There were many more sexual harassment cases against
ethnic Chinese women in residential areas.

The above-mentioned facts show an increase in the intensity of
violence against women, which renders the position of women
susceptible, both in various small groups in the community and in
public places with the involvement of the state apparatus.

Article 2 of the UN Declaration on the Abolishment of Violence
against Women states that violence against women includes
physical, sexual and psychological acts of violence which are
committed/justified by the State wherever they happen.
Furthermore, as a consequence, it has been determined in the same
declaration that the State shall continuously endeavor to
prevent, investigate and in accordance with national legislation,
punish the perpetrators of violence against women, both committed
by the State and by individuals (article 4).

With regard to the above, the Women's Crisis Center, Mitra
Perempuan:

1. condemns various acts of physical, sexual and psychological
violence against women committed by anyone, including the state
apparatus, as barbarous and inhuman acts in violation of women's
dignity;

2. demands a thorough settlement of the various acts of violence
against women committed by the state apparatus or irresponsible
people;

3. urges the victims and other community members not to leave the
matter unsolved, and invites all people to be equally concerned
about the suffering of the victims, to reinforce protection and
to build a more just and egalitarian appreciation of women's
dignity.

In fact, the struggle for reform also covers demands for a
change of social values, which have so far denied the existence
of women's rights as an integral part of the respect for human
values and basic rights. Women are entitled to live free from all
kinds of fear and all threatening actions.

The Women's Crisis Center Mitra Perempuan is in a position to
receive complaints from victims of violence with personal
consultations. Privacy is guaranteed, including the identity of
the person and the information related to each case.

The address to contact: P.O. Box 4113 JKTJ, Jakarta 13041 or
Telephone/Facsimile (021) 8298421.

RITA SERENA KOLIBONSO

Executive Director

Women's Crisis Center

Jakarta