If You Are A Victim Of Domestic Violence Don't Just Be Silent, Speak Up!

Oki Setiana Dewi, the content of his lecture is considered to legalize domestic violence. (Photo: Instagram/okisetianadewi)

JAKARTA - The lecture of artist and preacher Oki Setiana Dewi has gone viral and has become a public spotlight from various circles. The lecture, which is considered to normalize acts of domestic violence (KDRT), is still widely discussed by Indonesian people.

What went viral was a snippet of Oki's lecture talking about a wife who had just been beaten by her husband. However, Oki said that the wife did not tell about the beating by her husband when the wife's parents suddenly came to visit, in other words the wife chose to remain silent.

Domestic violence illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

For his viral lecture video, Oki has expressed his apologies and stated that he would continue to study. Sorry to be born and inner heart for the error in conveying and may Allah forgive me in every of my mistakes," wrote Oki Setiana Dewi in an upload on her Instagram account, Friday, February 4, 2022. The sister of Youtuber Ria Ricis also emphasized that she strongly rejects violence in household.

However, even though Oki has already apologized, the word domestic violence is still being discussed by netizens and even topped the trending topic in Indonesia with tens of thousands of tweets related to domestic violence.

Komnas Perempuan Condemns Domestic Violence

Commissioner of the National Anti-Violence Commission, Mariana Amiruddin, when contacted by VOI.id on February 2, 2022, assessed that Oki should be more careful as a public figure. He advised Oki to issue words of wisdom rather than issue statements that could potentially worsen the victim's position.

"Actually, if he didn't say it afterwards, didn't insert it, maybe the message would have more meaning than having to say it. It means that the victim is wrong. Maybe Oki can make more empathetic content," said Mariana.

Mariana Amiruddin. (Photo: Antara)

In Komnas Perempuan's annual records, the most frequent violence was domestic violence. Of the 299,991 cases of violence against women that occurred throughout 2020, 17.8 percent of them were domestic violence.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) through the Head of the MUI for Da'wah and UKhwah, Muhammad Cholil Nafis told reporters, Thursday, February 3 that what Oki said was incorrect. According to him, if a wife or husband experiences domestic violence, it is better to tell the right person. Cholil said that the settlement of domestic violence cases was very situational. Regarding domestic violence, he said, it could be resolved by going to the figures for advice and going through a legal process.

Domestic violence is left alone, can it change?

In his lecture, Oki Setiana Dewi advised victims of domestic violence to remain silent. Is it true that such actions can change the character of the husband? According to Clinical Psychologist at Halodoc.id, Dya Adis Putri Rahmawati when contacted by VOI.id on February 2, when her husband did domestic violence, the first thing to do was talk to the husband that the wife objected to the husband's physical actions, if he saw this. it as a disgrace.

However, if this happens again, the wife should have to talk to other family members because they definitely need support. Dya also added that usually a man who used to commit violence first would repeat it again, so it would be difficult to change.

Muhammad Cholil Nafis. (Photo: Antara)

According to Dya, victims of domestic violence should not remain silent because it will have a considerable impact on mental and psychological well-being, especially if violence is seen by the child which will cause the child to experience long-term trauma.

If you are in an unhealthy relationship and even experience violence, don't hesitate to report it through the following contact points for domestic violence complaints: Call center 119 ext. 8 (Psychological First Aid), Komnas Perempuan 0821 2575 1234, Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia 1500 771.