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