The alleged act of violence committed by Taufik Hidayat on his lover with the initials YTR has become the public's attention because his depravity is almost perfect. Therefore, said the Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan Dr. Maria Ulfah Anshor, M.Si., the perpetrator must be given a layered punishment for the criminal act he committed.
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This case, continued Maria, is a serious concern for the Komnas Perempuan. "This YTR is a victim of extreme gender violence. Because it is very sadistic and also lasts for quite some time, namely 3 years, no one knows. The violence may also be layered. What is visible is almost perfect physical violence," he said.
According to the in-depth investigation conducted by Komnas Perempuan, there are several notes that are of concern. Among them are physical violence, especially to the eyes; permanent disability (blindness), parts of the body are paralyzed, the head is also injured and requires a long recovery process physically because of heavy violence.
Then psychologically under pressure, he was able to survive for 3 years because he was psychologically suppressed. "In the confession, as soon as he whimpered a little, the actions of the perpetrator became more severe. So he really became helpless with his eyes blinded, he also couldn't leave the house. This is what caused the violence to be layered and layered," said Maria.
Therefore, he emphasized, the articles used for this case must also be layered and maximum. "The perpetrator must be charged with a number of articles, not only in the Criminal Code as a form of torture, but also including other articles. And in this case, from our monitoring, it is suspected that he is also a victim of sexual violence," he said.
He asked all women, especially those who are still trapped in unhealthy relationships with their partners - such as experiencing physical, psychological, sexual violence, and others - to dare to speak up and report the incidents they have experienced. "Don't just be silent, report it to the police or Komnas Perempuan and other institutions that can accept it," he told Edy Suherli and Bambang Eros when visiting the VOI office in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, July 2, 2026.
If we open social media now, almost every week there is news of women being abused. At a time when many women are independent and educated, women's position is still vulnerable to physical abuse?
The situation is very worrying. Today, the meaning or understanding of violence against women seems to be repeating itself. In fact, we already have a number of regulations that prohibit violence against women. And this situation refers to several things. Komnas Perempuan identifies the realm of violence against women in three realms.
First, personal violence. This is in personal relationships, for example with friends, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, husbands, or ex-husbands. The category is in the realm of personal violence.
The second, violence in the public sphere. In public transportation, on the street, or in educational institutions. Even today in educational institutions that are supposedly as institutions that form the character of the nation, there are actually more and more numbers of violence against women, even sexual violence. We also categorize it as violence in the public sphere.
And the third is violence in the realm of the state, this is the perpetrator of the state apparatus. Then the incident can also be in the location where the state apparatus is active.
So it's real?
Yes, it's real. And we identify the three realms as the basis for public complaints reports submitted through Komnas Perempuan channels. Both hotlines, emails, social media, then there is a complaint link. And that is also accessed by the public, in addition to partners who provide assistance in the field.
People say love is blind and blinding, many are intoxicated and there are also educated ones, how do you see this?
Yes, indeed, love is blind or love is blind, this is an idiom that often makes the victim then become helpless. Because of love, for love, fear of being cut off, or even also by the perpetrator being intimidated.
The root of the problem is first the power relationship factor, between the perpetrator and the victim is usually lopsided. So until now, usually his girlfriend or let's say his man who is identified as the perpetrator, has a high power relationship. Women have dependence. When dating on campus, for example, it happens between senior and junior. Likewise, in general, if the power relationship is due to economic factors, the perpetrator has more power.
The second, the patriarchal factor. The culture of the community still considers that men are considered powerful. Men are the main thing to be valued compared to women. This patriarchal culture is constantly being reconstructed in the cultures of society. Well, this is also one of the root causes of the problem, why until today violence is considered something normal.
In fact, often, the community also normalizes women as victims of violence. Women are picked up as usual, can't be angry. So this is what I think is the new reconstruction. Then it also includes in this digital era, online gender-based violence is also increasing.
And we categorize violence into several types: physical violence, psychological violence, economic violence, sexual violence, and digital violence. Because in the present era, bullying can be through a cellphone, WA, social media, it is very extraordinary.
Recently, we have been shocked by the case of Taufik Hidayat with his girlfriend's victim, YTR, which is very disturbing. How does Komnas Perempuan see this case and escort it so that it does not evaporate?
In the view of Komnas Perempuan, the victim of this YTR is a victim who has experienced extreme gender violence. Because it is very sadistic and also lasts for quite some time, namely 3 years, no one knows. The violence may also be layered. What is visible is almost perfect physical violence.
"We are monitoring this case. There are 6 conclusions, including: physical violence is mainly on the eyes of permanent disability (blindness), body parts are paralyzed, the head is also injured and requires a long recovery process physically because of heavy violence.
Then psychologically under pressure, he was able to survive up to 3 years because he was psychologically suppressed. In the confession, as soon as he groaned a little, the actions of the perpetrator became more and more severe. So he really became helpless with his eyes blinded, he also couldn't leave the house. This is what caused the violence to escalate, layer by layer, and the victim emotionally positioned to accept this reality as something that must be experienced. So from the psychological side it was also damaged in such a way, as if it was impossible to get out of the situation.
"What about the findings of the Komnas Perempuan in this case?
Economically he is also helpless. He has been dismissed from his job, he can no longer work. This is part of economic violence.
Social violence, he was also cut off from his family, he was not allowed to communicate with his family and close friends. In fact, he almost lived in his house. Once this perpetrator came out, the house was locked. He couldn't do anything, it was perfect violence.
How does Komnas Perempuan monitor this case so that it does not evaporate?
Yes, Komnas Perempuan has the mandate to carry out monitoring. We conduct studies and analyses related to this case, and third, provide advice and input for consideration by the parties, especially the government, legislature, executive, judiciary, and also to community leaders or community institutions.
Well, in the context of violence itself, Komnas Perempuan ensures that Komnas Perempuan of course stands by the victim. That this victim is a victim who has experienced extreme gender-based violence. We ensure that in the aspect of protection, it must be done comprehensively. All parties related to its mandate, together provide care and recovery to the victim, so that the victim can access comprehensive services.
In addition, Komnas Perempuan ensures that the police work optimally using the relevant articles. So that the victim is not harmed and gets maximum access to justice. Of course, the perpetrators are charged with a number of articles, not only in the Criminal Code as a form of torture, but also including other articles. The reason is that it is a layered article, the punishment is also a layered punishment. And if, for example, from our monitoring, it is also suspected that he is also a victim of sexual violence.
So the perpetrator must be charged with layered articles, including sexual violence?
If this also proves to be a victim of sexual violence, it means that the layers are getting more and more. The perpetrators are punished, plus the obligation to pay compensation. There is restitution that must be paid and this is the victim's right that must be given. So for three years of torture, this must also be calculated correctly. Each type of torture is nominalized to approximately how much the loss is. Moreover, he is permanently blind, this must also be calculated.
So in addition to layered punishment, there is also restitution that must be ensured to be paid by the perpetrator, or by other sources that ensure that justice can be on the side of the victim. Victims not only have access to justice legally, but restitution is also a victim's right.
This is also a big deal in the internal Komnas Perempuan because one of its commissioners is considered by the public to have a comment that is not empathetic. How do you see this issue objectively?
"We from Komnas Perempuan see the statement, first about time. When the statement was delivered in a forum commemorating International Anti-Torture Day. So we were gathering in the Ombudsman's hall, there was Komnas Perempuan, Komnas HAM, KPAI, KND, LPSK, and also the Ombudsman as the host. After the press conference, someone asked. So maybe Kak Friska, one of the commissioners, answered as he had just delivered in the context of the anti-torture day commemoration.
But the point is, I think in the context of violence against women, the mandate of Komnas Perempuan is to ensure that we are not a protection agency, but to ensure that the victim and his family get comprehensive protection. That is the right of the victim and his family.
And in this context, once again, this is a form of extreme gender-based violence against women. I think as we have just said, the victim must receive the maximum recovery and fulfillment of his rights. Get access to justice and also get compensation.
So what did one of the commissioners of Komnas Perempuan say had a context?
Yes, this is what seems not to be read in full, yes. It is not seen that this is a certain context. So if we use one of the articles, once again, the terminology of torture in the Criminal Code is a very light sentence, 5 to 7 years. But if you use a special law, it can actually give the impression that the punishment can be more optimal for the perpetrator.
"This case is viral, people say no viral, no justice. How do you see this phenomenon?
So, normatively, it shouldn't be like that, yes. When there is a case, report it, and process it. Well, this is the problem I think in this YTR case, the victim did not report because the victim was helpless. It was only reported at the time of the process at the hospital. Then followed up, examined by a doctor.
Doctors who have experience examining this case do not believe that in this case YTR was said to have fallen in the bathroom. Because it doesn't make sense. YTR was indoctrinated by the perpetrator that he had to answer that he fell in the bathroom.
And once identified, it was indeed a violent act that was impossible to happen in the bathroom with such injuries. This is the element of violence in a long time and it is impossible that it just fell in the bathroom. There are suspicious elements. Then the health officer immediately contacted the police.
If we look at the data in the last 2 or 3 years, how many cases have entered Komnas Perempuan? And the victim is it a city person, a village person, or what is its anatomy like?
Based on reports or complaints received at Komnas Perempuan, the average is 4,500 to 5,600 cases per year. The average is about 19 cases per day who report. The complaints that enter Komnas Perempuan are complaints that can be said to be the last complaint. Because he has reported everywhere, but the process is, for example, stalled. Well, they report to us.
"From this number of reports, we then identified 2 things. There are gender-based cases, this gender-based violence which is in accordance with the mandate of the National Commission for Women, this is our priority to follow up. And there is violence that is general, not gender-based violence. Well, from gender-based violence, the average verified case is gender-based violence.
"What we do then is 2 things. First, clarify with the reporter. Then the next process is to convey to the parties where the legal process is stuck. So if in the police we give recommendations, the second we recommend to the parties. If it is stuck in the police, we recommend it to the police, or to the prosecutor's office, or also in other processes. Then we monitor the legal process.
Sometimes the violence is carried out by the closest person, husband, boyfriend, or close family. How do you see this?
Yes, this is often the case that the victim is also lulled. The perpetrator then also enjoys the violence committed. So it seems that the victim is made helpless because, as I said above, the factor is that there is a power relationship. There is a cultural factor that makes the relationship more unbalanced. And this is what I think encourages the victim to become helpless.
The point is, when faced with this situation, or if this is in a relationship, for example, once you know it, the first agreement that must be made is that there is no violence on both sides. When starting to get acquainted, you must be able to identify. Oh, he is like this, so as not to be overwhelmed. So that's what I think is important to identify, whether there are characters that can lead to violence. Are there elements that allow him to be a perpetrator of violence.
It can also be investigated by a third party, for example, through close friends. Who is he really? What has he been doing all this time? Has his friend, for example, never seen him angry to curse? Has he ever committed acts of beating? That could be one of the factors that trigger violence.
So if we know someone, don't keep it a secret, right?
Oh yes, that's right. And most importantly, I think to everyone, yes, we must keep the police complaint number. So if there is violence - even sexual violence, which often has a narrative that seems to praise, for example, "Oh, you are so beautiful today." - if we feel uncomfortable and feel humiliated, we can report. This can be a case of verbal gender-based sexual violence.
But many are afraid and ashamed. It is considered that reporting is the same as opening one's own shame.
So, the narrative that this is a disgrace and will make you ashamed must be replaced with the narrative that this is a criminal act. We must be brave to report and act. Not only the victim, but also the person who witnessed it can also report.
"In the context of YTR, it is still dating, its position is weak compared to KDRT. What can Komnas Perempuan do to strengthen this case?
If we refer to the Criminal Code, it is actually quite clear. It can use the Criminal Code and can be layered with penalties. The police have already said at the press conference, the article that is suspected is Article 466 Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code. So, anyone who commits abuse that results in serious injury can be sentenced to a maximum of 5 years.
Then Article 451 of the Criminal Code, anyone who holds another person by force or threat of violence to place the person unlawfully under his or her power or in a helpless state, is sentenced to hostage-taking with 12 years in prison. If he or she suffers serious injuries, the prison sentence is 9 years.
Then there is also a juncto Article 126 of the Criminal Code, Paragraph 2, which can also be added so that the prison sentence is increased by another 9 years. So, if we use the Criminal Code alone, it can actually be layered, especially if it is added with the Sexual Violence Crime Act (UU TPKS). So it will increase. The perpetrator must be punished as heavily as possible, this is basically.
How do you give tips to women out there that they should read the signs? If the situation is a little worrying, you have to dare to behave, "I have to get out"?
Although it is a choice, you have to be smart in choosing. When the acts of violence he experienced led to actions that made him uncomfortable, became tortured, became hostage, and were economically and socially harmed, to the point that he was in a threat that could destroy him physically and psychologically, then there is no choice according to me. It is a crime, he must dare to say no.
"Here is our relationship, he has to break up. The relationship is for comfort and above all is to ensure that he as a partner feels safe, comfortable, happy, and there is no violence. Once there is an indication of violence, in my opinion, he should be able to break up.
What are the concrete efforts of Komnas Perempuan to educate the public to break violence like what happened in the YTR case?
What Komnas Perempuan does is change the way of looking. Ensuring that everyone, both men and women, has a way of looking at that whoever they are - men, women, children, disabled, elderly - they are human beings who have dignity and dignity that must be respected and valued.
They have rights that must also be fulfilled in their interaction relationships. They should not be prohibited from things that do not harm themselves, because that is the fulfillment of their rights.
So, often people assume - especially perpetrators of violence - that the victim is inferior, dependent, helpless, due to factors such as disability, old age, and others. In fact, once he is a human being, he is the same as us: wants to be valued, respected, and fulfilled his rights.
What is your message to women who are still trapped in blind relationships, so that they want to speak up and report to the authorities?
The recommendation of the National Commission for Women to women who experience violence - both psychological, sexual, economic, and social violence - which has harmed and destroyed dignity, must report it. And don't be afraid, don't hesitate, don't be ashamed, report! Because these actions are not acts of love, not acts of affection, but degrading women.
"The channels of reporting I think are now relatively quite a lot. Komnas Perempuan also provides several channels. Then in the police I think it has been better in terms of gender perspective with the TPKS Law. The police also have a mandate to provide services to victims of violence, both physically, psychologically, and sexually.
There is also the PPA UPTD under the ministry/department for women's empowerment which is in every district/city. Then there are community-based services such as LBH APIK, LBH Jakarta, and others. So there are many ways to report, especially now through digital media and social media as well.
Maria Ulfah Anshor's Long Road: Lighting the Courage in the Hearts of Wounded WomenThe struggle of Maria Ulfah Anshor, who is now serving as the Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan in the arena of advocacy for women, has been going on for a long time. And consistently, he continues to be on the same track until now.
"Defending my oppressed people is part of my life and my life. "It has been a long time because this has been part of my life, it has been part of my life process," he said.
Maria tells the story, the first time she was intensively involved in the movement to defend women was when she was still a final-year student at the Faculty of Sharia, Institute of Al-Qur'an Sciences (IIQ) Jakarta. "Before in the Women's Community and KPAI, I was active in the NU organization, Fatayat NU. Precisely since the final-year students. At that time as a motivator of Bina Balita for the survival of mothers and children," said the woman who is also active in PMII (Pergerakan Mahasiswa Islam Indonesia).
Carrying out the Early Childhood Development Program in the Ciputat area, South Tangerang, was very memorable for him. Through this program, he was able to interact with NU women's figures and national women's figures. "I interacted a lot with women's figures such as Gus Dur's mother, Nyai Hajjah Sholichah Munawwaroh. In addition to organizational affairs, I also interacted with him in completing my thesis. He was my source of information," he said.
He was lucky to meet and interact with inspiring women. This interaction also made his mindset and academic career grow, so that his enthusiasm to defend women was more solid.
Leading the OrganizationHis leadership talent was also honed through organizing. "In 2000 I was elected as the first Fatayat General Chair (2000-2005). Then I was also trusted to be the chairman for the second period (2005-2010)," he explained.
"So this is what I think is the span of time that is part of my struggle. In fact, I always say that the NU Fatayat for me is a living laboratory," he said.
"I was trusted to be the project leader for strengthening women's rights in the NU environment. And at that time, people still didn't know what women's rights were, what gender was. Because of that, I was trained to follow a gender analysis training in 1995. This actually encouraged me to continue to survive and enjoy women's issues," he said.
Then after the program was completed, Maria and her team carried out a program to strengthen reproductive health rights. "So strengthening women's rights is more specific about reproductive health rights. And at that time I interacted with many victims," he continued.
After many enlightened women and understand their rights, he was even accused of making many wives behave against their husbands. "Because of participating in the study program run by Fatayat, many husbands questioned our activities," said the author of the book "Religious Fundamentalism and its Impact on Reproductive Health and Sexuality".
Arouse the WomenIt is not easy to make women - especially in the NU environment who did not know their rights - to be enlightened. "After being enlightened, they dare to report as victims of domestic violence, victims of sexual violence, and others," he said.
One unforgettable moment for Maria is the case that occurred in Pati, Central Java. "Fatayat officials were threatened that they could no longer carry out awareness activities for women, and were even threatened to be killed," he said.
Because of the threatening situation, continued Maria, the Fatayat manager was evacuated to another area. "At that time there was no safe house. So these friends, the victims, and some of their children, were evacuated to one of Kiai Sahal's pesantren," he said.
From this incident, said Maria, they were inspired to create a shelter (safe house) based on pesantren. "What we do really gives certainty that the victim gets protection," said the winner of the Women Award from ANTV (2005).
It was also from this program that Maria Ulfah Anshor was inspired to take an S2 program at the University of Indonesia. "This experience also inspired me to take an S2 in Gender Studies at UI, at that time I was guided by Prof. Saparina Sadli. The rich field experience then became a path for me to complete my studies," said the author of the book What Do Kyai and Nyai Say about Abortion.
"The appeal of the National Commission on Women to women who experience violence - both psychological, sexual, economic, and social violence - which has harmed and destroyed dignity, must report it. And don't be afraid, don't hesitate, don't be ashamed, report! Because these actions are not acts of love, not acts of affection, but degrading women,"
Maria Ulfah Anshor
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