Sexual Violence Emergency, TPKS Bill Is Urged To Be Passed Immediately

Member of Commission VIII DPR RI MF Nurhuda Y hopes that the TPKS Bill will soon be passed and can reduce sexual violence that occurs in the community. (Personal Documentation)

JAKARTA - Sexual violence has become news in various media, it is urgent to stop. Member of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) MF Nurhuda Y assessed that the Draft Law (RUU) on the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS) needs to be immediately passed into law in order to stop the current rampant sexual violence cases.

“Currently cases of sexual violence in Indonesia are quite alarming, so it can be said as a sexual emergency. What is more concerning is that the perpetrators are religious leaders, so it is important that the TPKS Bill is immediately passed into law," said Nurhuda in Jakarta, Thursday, December 16.

He said cases of sexual violence that recently emerged must be handled wisely by the state. The presence of the state is very much needed by the community so that cases of sexual violence can be muted and not repeated.

Nurhuda appreciates the attitude of several community groups who continue to be critical of voicing their aspirations about the need for a legal umbrella for efforts to prevent and handle cases of sexual violence. "The demand for the ratification of TPKS is a joint response to save Indonesia from the emergency of sexual violence," he said as quoted by Antara.

He hopes that the TPKS Law is present as a form of stopping sexual violence cases as well as state protection for victims.

In addition, Nurhuda also highlighted several cases of alleged sexual violence by religious leaders, such as 13 female students who received sexual violence from their teachers in Cibiru, Bandung, allegations of sexual abuse cases that occurred in Tangerang and Depok.

"This is a very serious problem, we must not turn a blind eye to the findings of cases of sexual violence which are increasingly rampant. This is an alarm for the entire Indonesian nation," he said.

According to him, society and all elements of society should be sensitive to the fate of victims of sexual violence.

The PKB Party politician assesses that victims of sexual violence often experience trauma and lose confidence. "Not a few of them are depressed and want to commit suicide because there is no support in the surrounding environment," he said.

Nurhuda assessed that the victims of sexual violence were the Mustadh'afin group or were weakened and structurally weak. In fact, many of them did not receive support from their families.

He said that the attitude of the people who often blamed the victim also worsened the situation because it made the victim feel alone, isolated and did not dare to report her case. "In fact, reporting cases of sexual violence is part of law enforcement efforts and protection of victims. The state, nation and all Indonesian people must do a joint reflection," he said.

Previously, the Legislation Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI approved the TPKS Bill and was waiting for the approval of the DPR Plenary Meeting so that the bill became the DPR's initiative proposal. It is hoped that this law can reduce sexual violence that occurs in society.