JAKARTA - The data on cases of violence against women and children in the city of Yogyakarta during the pandemic increased compared to before the pandemic. Most of it happens at home.
"From the data collected, the number of cases of violence, especially against women and children, has indeed increased in recent years, from 2019, 2020 to October 2021, the number has increased," said Head of the Office of Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning, Yogyakarta City, Edy. Muhammad on the sidelines of the commemoration of the Day of Non-violence in Yogyakarta, Wednesday, December 1.
Based on data, the number of cases of violence in 2019 was recorded at 122, increasing to 145 cases in 2020 and until October 2021, there were 175 cases of violence.
"90 percent of it is violence against women," he said.
There are three main factors that cause the emergence of such cases of violence, namely the character or personality of people who really like to be angry and like to commit acts of violence, in addition to economic factors and other people's factors.
Prior to the pandemic, Edy continued, other factors usually arise from people outside the nuclear family, but during the pandemic there have been many cases of violence within the family.
Meanwhile, cases of violence against children also increased, from 39 cases in 2020 to 55 cases until October 2021.
"Before the pandemic, many cases of violence against children occurred in schools, but since schooling has been conducted online, more cases of violence against children have occurred at home," he said.
The increase in cases of child violence in the home, continued Edy, is possible because the intensity of meetings between family members is higher than before the pandemic. Most of it is psychological violence.
"It is also possible that parents experience a lot of pressure due to having to become teachers for children who go to online schools and still have to do other work at home or because of economic pressure due to the pandemic," he said as quoted by Antara.
Although cases of violence against women and children increased during the pandemic, Edy admitted that further research was needed to ascertain the correlation between the pandemic and acts of violence.
“Indirectly, the pandemic can indeed be a factor in increasing cases of violence against women and children. However, an in-depth study is needed to confirm it," he said.
Meanwhile, the handling of victims of violence, continued Edy, was carried out thoroughly according to the commitment of the Yogyakarta City Government.
Victims who experience physical violence will be treated medically, while victims who experience psychological violence will be accompanied by a psychologist from the psychological side and not all cases of violence are brought to justice.
"The decision whether the case is brought to justice or not is entirely up to the victim. That is their right, because sometimes there are certain conditions that are in a dilemma, such as the economic impact that will be experienced and other factors,” he said.
Meanwhile, efforts to prevent the emergence of cases of violence, he said, can be started from the family by building good communication within the family by strengthening religion.
"We also open a consultation through the Family Learning Center if the family cannot resolve the problems that arise, so that they do not escalate into acts of violence," he said.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Yogyakarta Violence Victims Protection Forum, Tri Kirana Muslidatun, said the increasing number of violence against women and children during the pandemic was a common concern.
"The campaign for the Three End program must continue as an effort to reduce the number of violence," he said.
The Three End program launched by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection includes efforts to end violence against women and children, end human trafficking, and end economic inequality.
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