Commission XIII of the DPR asks LPSK to pick up the ball to handle the case of kidnapping a woman in Bandung without waiting for the application

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the DPR, Dewi Asmara, highlighted the attitude of the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) which was considered to be less responsive in responding to the kidnapping of women in Bandung Regency.

He reminded that Article 53 paragraph 1 of the Witness and Victim Protection Law (UU PSDK) explicitly mandates the LPSK to pick up the ball, not just wait for an application from a victim who is under pressure and fear.

"The philosophy of the PSDK Law is very clear: the state must be proactive, not reactive. I have to ask: where was the LPSK when the woman with the initials YTR was abused and imprisoned in violence in the Bandung district?," Dewi Asmara told reporters, Tuesday, June 23.

"The PSDK Law has ordered the LPSK to pick up the ball, not wait for the ball. The duties and functions regulated in this law are very firm, namely to provide protection proactively once there is information or indications of serious threats to witnesses and victims. There is no need to wait for the victim to apply," he said.

"There is no need to wait for a torturous bureaucratic mechanism. LPSK is obliged to move quickly, go to the field, and secure the victims. That is the order of the law," added Dewi.

Dewi explained that the new PSDK Law gives LPSK the authority to conduct direct outreach, self-protection initiatives, and threat assessments without having to wait for recommendations or requests from any party. Articles in the PSDK Law, according to him, have designed LPSK as an agile, responsive, and courageous institution to act quickly in emergency situations.

"The case of kidnapping YTR in Bandung Regency is the most real test. The victim is in a very vulnerable situation. He may not know where to report, does not understand the protection mechanism, and may even be afraid to speak out. This is where the LPSK's task of picking up the ball must be carried out," he said.

"LPSK must not hide behind procedural excuses. The PSDK Law has opened the widest possible space for LPSK to take protection initiatives," Dewi said again.

The Golkar legislator from the West Java IV Electoral District also emphasized that the ball pick-up referred to in the PSDK Law was not merely a socialization or ceremonial visit, but a concrete action. Such as visiting the location, identifying the victim, providing emergency protection, providing a safe house, psychological assistance, and full legal advocacy.

"Don't let there be an impression that state institutions are moving slowly while the victims live in fear. I, as a representative of the people of West Java, feel that it is in the public interest for every citizen, especially women, to feel safe and protected," said Dewi.

Dewi Asmara asked the LPSK to coordinate intensively with the Bandung Regional Police (Polres) and the local government. He assessed that this synergy was crucial to open access to legal assistance services, psychological recovery, to safe houses (safe houses) for victims during the legal process.

As a working partner of the LPSK, Dewi added, Commission XIII of the DPR RI will continue to monitor the handling of this case, especially related to the main duties and functions of the LPSK.

"Parliament will not stand idly by if the rights of victims of sexual and violent crimes are ignored," Dewi concluded.