West Papua Police Record Cases Of Domestic Violence In 2023 Increasing Sharply

The West Papua Regional Police held a press conference at the end of 2023 in Manokwari, Sunday. (ANTARA/Fransiskus Salu Weking)

MANOKWARI - Polda Papua Barat mencatat penanganan kasus kekerasan dalam rumah tangga (KDRT) sejak Januari-Desember 2023 sebanyak 119 kasus atau mengalami peningkatan 95 persen dibanding tahun 2022. West Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Johnny Eddizon Isir said the increase in cases reflected that the community, especially victims of domestic violence, had ventured to provide reports. "In 2022, 61 domestic violence cases were handled, and throughout 2023, domestic violence cases handled increased to 119 cases," said Johnny Isir during a press conference at the end of 2023 in Manokwari, Antara, Sunday, December 31. In 2024, he said, the West Papua Police will strengthen the synergy of collaboration with local government technical agencies to suppress domestic violence cases through increasing education and socialization for the community. These efforts will also involve leaders such as traditional leaders, religious leaders, community leaders, female leaders, and youth leaders so that prevention efforts are maximized. "The Directorate of Community Guidance (Binmas) of the Regional Police cooperates with all parties so that they can suppress the domestic violence case. The cases handled have been reported, some have not been reported," he said. According to Johnny, the police continue to prioritize preventive efforts in solving the domestic violence problem and do not ignore the application of positive laws that are adjusted to the victim's condition. There are a number of factors that cause cases of domestic violence, such as patriarchal culture that position men to dominate in everyday life and gender inequality. "The application of the law is carried out humanely and professionally. Of course it must be traced to the cause of domestic violence, whether it is because the man is influenced by alcohol or others," said Johnny. Assistant II of the Regional Secretariat (Setda) of West Papua Melkias Werinussa explained that the provincial government continues to strengthen and develop the capacity of protection service providers for women. The involvement of service providers intends to suppress cases of violence that often happen to women and children, and need support from all components. "The unequal power relationship between men and women occurs in the household environment, the community, and the work environment," explained Melkias. The provincial government, he said, is committed to providing protection for women and children who experience violence through various policies such as Provincial Regulation (Perdasi) Number 11 of 2013. In addition, the provincial government has formed a Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) as an effort to optimize services for victims of violence. He said from data from the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (SIMFONI PPA), there were 46 cases of violence against women in West Papua from January to December 7, 2023. Then, violence against girls 43 cases, violence against boys 15 cases, sexual violence against women nine cases, sexual violence 31 cases, and domestic violence (KDRT) 25 cases.

"The cases of sexual violence and domestic violence that occurred in West Papua are very dominant," said Melkias.