House Passes Sexual Violence Eradication Bill into Law

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga (left) and Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani. (Photo by: PR of Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection/Rahmat)

The House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) Tuesday (04/12) officially passed Sexual Violence Eradication Bill into Law in a plenary meeting.

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga expressed her appreciation to the House and the Government for their commitment and collaboration in the legislation of the bill.

“The Law is a concrete proof of the State’s presence to nip all kinds of sexual violence in the bud, as well as to protect and recover the victim, to ensure law enforcement, to rehabilitate perpetrators, create an environment without sexual violence, and ensure that sexual violence must be stopped,” she said.

The Minister expressed hope that the Law can be implemented for the benefits of the sexual violence survivors.

She went on to say that the Government has been holding numerous working meetings attended by Minister of Social Affairs, Minister of Home Affairs, and Minister of Law and Human Rights on Sexual Violence Eradication Bill with the House.

“Discussion on Sexual Violence Eradication Bill between Working Committee of the Government and Working Committee of the House began on March 24 and ended on April 6, 2022. In that discussion, the Government and the House have made all-out efforts to draw up a comprehensive law with sole interpretation and is not overlapping with other regulations of laws. The bill was signed by fractions of the House and the Government on April 6 and brought to the House’s plenary meeting for the enactment,” she explained.

According to her, the Law regulated wider range in types of sexual crimes, and a more comprehensive procedural law without intimidation that upholds human rights and dignity, starting from the investigation, prosecution to examination in court. The Law also ensures the rights of victims during the case, as well as ensures the protection and recovery of the victims.

Under the Law, sexual crime cases cannot be resolved outside the judicial process, except for child perpetrators. In a bid to pay for the victims’ unbearable pain, they will get compensation and restitution from perpetrators. If confiscated assets of the convict are not sufficient for the cost of restitution, the State will provide compensation to the victim in accordance with the court’s ruling through victim trust fund.

Upon the enactment, Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection will disseminate the Law to related ministries/institutions and regional governments in order to ensure the implementation.

Implementing regulations such as Regulation of the President or the Government will also be established, she said.

In the meantime, Vice Chairperson of the House’s Legislation Body, Willy Aditya, said that the Law sides with the victims and provides a legal umbrella to cover all types of sexual crimes. It will also provide a sense of justice and protection to victims of sexual violence. (PR of Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection/UN)(RAS/MUR)