Protection of Female Victim of Violence in Indonesia

Source: (2003) In, Tatsuya Ota, ed., Victims and Criminal Justice: Asian Perspective. Tokoyo, Hogaku-Kenkyu-Kai, Keio University. Pp. 95-105.

Traditional cultural values and Islamic religious tenets have contributed to women’s inferior status in Indonesian society. This has impacted not only their educational, economic, and vocational status, but also made them vulnerable to violence in the home, in the workplace, and on the streets. Women were targets for rape and violence in the social riots on May 14 and 15, 1998. Based on the Presidential Instruction dated July 8, 1998, the Indonesian Government has established the Women’s Protection Team Against Violence. Team members consist of government officials, members of Parliament, lawyers, academics, and experts from communities. Short-term protection measures promoted by the team are designed to help victims or their families recover from the damage of violence. These include securing their safety, providing counseling services, legal consultation, medical treatment, hospital services, and religious services. Proposed medium- and long-term measures and programs include expediting the ratification and implementation of several international conventions regarding the victimization of women; reforming national laws that discriminate against women; research programs that examine the root causes of discrimination and violence against women; enhancing the quality and number of women’s resources in law enforcement agencies; educational campaigns that promote the equal treatment of women; and stopping the practice of sending women overseas by force to become sex workers. Overall, the thrust of policy development is toward the empowerment of women, the realization of gender equality and justice, the elimination of violence against women, and the advancement of protection of women’s rights. Abstract courtesy of National Criminal Justice Reference Service, www.ncjrs.org.