Violence Cases Rise 14 Percent, Women Are Still The Biggest Victims

JAKARTA - Violence, both in public spaces and in the household sphere, is still a serious problem in Indonesia. Sadly, women continue to be the most affected group.

Throughout 2024, Komnas Perempuan recorded 330,097 cases of gender-based violence (KBG), an increase of 14.17% compared to the previous year.

The most frequently reported forms of violence include sexual and psychological violence (26.94% each), followed by physical violence (26.78%), and economic violence (9.84%).

gender-based violence or domestic violence (KDRT) not only leaves physical injuries but also psychologically. If left unchecked, this trauma can develop into severe mental disorders such as chronic anxiety, deep depression, and changes in behavior and personality.

According to Maria M. T. Fernandez, M.Psi., Clinical Psychologists as well as mentors in the Broken but Unbroken Community, survivors of violence usually show signs of emotional disorders such as emotional instability, difficulty focusing, and tendency to withdraw from the social environment. This has a direct impact on their productivity, both at work and in family and social life.

"They struggle not only with emotional pain, but also thoughts that continue to interfere. It makes it difficult for them to make decisions, solve problems, or carry out their daily routines," Maria explained in her statement.

As an effort to educate and recover, the Broken but Unbroken Community held an event called the Jakarta Anti-Violence Forum 2025. This forum aims to open space for dialogue and education for the wider community to recognize, prevent and overcome violence.

This forum was initiated by Kartika Soeminar, a social media activist who actively educates the public about the Narcotics Personality Disorder (NPD).

Through the community he founded, Kartika seeks to create a virtual safe space for violent survivors, so that they can share experiences, recognize signs of violence, and learn about the trauma recovery process.

"The goal is to create a place where anyone can tell stories without fear of being judged. This forum is a bridge to strengthen each other," Kartika said in a forum that took place at the HB Jassin PDS Hall, Taman Ismail Marzuki, Jakarta, recently.

This community now consists of more than 5,000 people from various cities in Indonesia. They are connected through a daily online forum called the Certificate Safe Space, active every night at 19.00 p.m. local time. This forum allows anyone to share their traumatic experiences freely, without fear of getting a stigma or a negative assessment.

"The most important thing is that no one judges. There is no lecture. Everyone is just listening and attending. It is a form of support that we sometimes cannot find at home or the surrounding environment," said Kartika.

Maria added that psychological recovery should be done as early as possible so that trauma does not develop into chronic disorder. One of the methods used is the Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) a therapeutic approach that helps survivors to recognize, accept, and regulate negative emotions.

More than just an online forum, the Safe Storyroom is a tangible form of solidarity and psychosocial support for victims of violence. This forum guarantees confidentiality and does not ask for any personal data from its participants.

"You don't have to go straight to the story. Just go in first, take a look around. Later when you are ready, you can start telling stories," said Kartika. To join, just visit the Instagram account @brokenbutunbroken_ and send a direct message to the admin for access to join the safe room.