Police Obscene Rape Victims In NTT, Member Of Parliament: Law Enforcement Fails To Give People A Sense Of People's Security

PIXABAY'S ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives, Sarifuddin Sudding, highlighted the case of a member of the National Police with the initials Aipda PS who was suspected of sexually harassing a woman who was a victim of rape while reporting to the South Wewewa Police, Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

Sudding assessed that law enforcement officials had failed to provide a sense of security to the people.

"This case is the most naked failure of a legal system that should be the last bastion of justice for the community. Police stations should be the safest place for the people, but this is the opposite," said Sudding, Tuesday, June 10.

This sexual harassment case began when the MML victim came to the South Wewewa Police to report the rape he experienced in Mandungo Village, South Wewewa District on March 2, 2025.

When giving the statement, MML was examined by Aipda PS. However, during the examination process, MML was suspected of being a victim of sexual violence by members of the police who handled the report. MML received obscene treatment from Aipda PS.

After the incident, Aipda PS was said to have asked MML not to tell anyone about the incident. However, MML finally ventured to speak on social media until his upload drew public attention.

Moreover, the rape case that happened to MML was also SP3 (Investigation Termination Order) on the grounds that sexual intercourse was carried out on a consensual basis. Even though MML admitted that he was threatened with machetes by the perpetrator before being raped.

As a member of the House of Representatives commission in charge of legal affairs and supervision of law enforcement officers, Sudding stated that this case was not just a violation of ethics, but a crime that humiliated the National Police institution in the eyes of the public.

"A citizen came to the police station because he had become a victim of sexual crimes. But instead of getting protection, he actually became a victim for the second time by those who were supposed to be protectors," he said.

Sudding also considered the case to be an indication of systemic failure in personnel development. Included in internal supervision, and the culture of power within law enforcement officials.

"If the police station turns into a place of harassment, then the entire concept of a state of law is in danger," said Sudding.

Currently, Aipda PS, who serves as the Head of Provos for the South Wewewa Police, has been sentenced to special placement sanctions since Saturday, June 7, to undergo further legal proceedings. Sudding urged that the legal process against Aipda PS be carried out in a transparent and fair manner.

"It cannot only be resolved in an ethics trial or given a warning or light sanction. Because this is a criminal crime, not just a disciplinary violation. The perpetrator must be tried in a general court, with a process that can be monitored by the public," he stressed.

Sudding also said that Commission III of the DPR would ask for an explanation regarding the handling of this case from the National Police. This is also to evaluate the mechanism for monitoring the behavior of members in the field, especially those handling cases of sexual violence and gender-based violence.

"We cannot constantly take refuge behind the narrative of 'persons'. If cases like this continue to emerge, it means that something is wrong in the recruitment, training and supervision system of the apparatus. It is time for the Police to seriously clean up their institutions from the mentality of the uniformed predators," said Sudding.

Sudding assessed that the case in NTT also confirmed that the protection of victims of sexual violence was far from ideal.

"This case must serve as a strong reminder that legal and institutional reform efforts in Indonesia have not yet touched the root of the problem. Including the inequality of power between the apparatus and civilians, as well as the culture of immunity within law enforcers," he explained.

Sudding urged a thorough audit of the mechanism for reporting sexual violence in all levels of the police. Including the necessity of the presence of female officers, separation of examination rooms, and psychological assistance for victims. He stressed that this could no longer be postponed.

"When the victim believes in social media more than in the legal system, it is clear that the state is losing credibility," said Sudding.

"This case must be a turning point. The state must be present, not only with a speech, but with real justice and strict sanctions against the perpetrators," he concluded.