10 Years Needed To Pass The Sexual Violence Law, Sociologist Reminds Its Implementation To Stay Away From Patriarchal Culture

Demonstration to commemorate International Women's Day in Bandung, Monday 8 March 2021. (Antara/M Agung R)

BANYUMAS - Sociologist from Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) Purwokerto Tyas Retno Wulan revealed that it took 10 years of struggle until the Sexual Violence Act (UU TPKS) was passed.

"This ratification is the fruit of a long struggle by various elements, from the National Commission for Women, the Association of Indonesian Women/Gender and Children Study Centers to women activists," she said in Purwokerto, Banyumas Regency, Wednesday, April 13.

For this reason, he appreciated all parties related to the ratification of the TPKS Bill into law at the 19th Plenary Session of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) during the IV session of 2021-2022.

"Appreciation for all parties who have realized the ratification of the TPKS Bill into law, including also for women activists and various elements of society who continue to oversee and care about the fate of victims of sexual violence in Indonesia," she said.

According to him, one of the basic things in the TPKS Law is that victims can get compensation from either the perpetrator or the state in the form of victim aid funds.

"This is one of the most progressive charges, it should be appreciated because it sided with the victims," he said.

However, he also reminded that a long struggle is still needed to continue to oversee its implementation.

"In my opinion, all elements still need to oversee its implementation because as is well known patriarchal culture still lives in the community. It is feared that people are still using men's glasses in viewing sexual relations between men and women," he said.

A lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Unsoed said that all parties must start socializing and overseeing the implementation process in the community.

"If the escort process is not carried out, it is feared that it will just stop. The way is, among others, law enforcers, including members of the press, must have a gender perspective," he said.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia in the 19th Plenary Session of the DPR RI for Session IV Session Year 2021-2022, Tuesday 12 April, approved the Draft Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence to be passed into law.

The first time the TPKS Bill was initiated by National Commission for Women (Komnas Perempuan) in 2012. Komnas Perempuan completed the drafting of the bill together with the Legal Aid Institute for the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH APIK) and the Service Provider Forum (FPL) in 2016. After that, the TPKS Bill began discussed in the DPR.