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House Speaker asks govt to form sexual violence task force
Written by Nur Yasmin
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Speaker of the House of Representatives (DPR), Puan Maharani, has urged the government to form a task force to prevent cases of sexual violence at state institutions.
Her request was made in response to the case of alleged sexual violence experienced by a contract-based worker at a ministry.
"Anyone who commits sexual violence must receive the severest sanctions. Perpetrators of sexual violence (must) receive stringent sanctions. Moreover, currently, there is Law Number 12/2022 concerning the Crime of Sexual Violence (TPKS)," she said here on Tuesday.
She explained that under the TPKS Law, forcing rape victims to marry those who raped them can be criminalized. In addition, the TPKS Law also regulates the severity of punishment for perpetrators who are the victims' superiors at work, she said.
Maharani pushed the central and regional governments to form an Anti-Sexual Violence Task Force at each work unit to prevent sexual violence.
"The Anti-Sexual Violence Task Force is in line with the TPKS Law, which regulates not only the recovery, handling, and resolution of sexual violence cases but also the prevention," she remarked.
According to her, the task force can also be at the forefront of the prevention of sexual violence within state institutions and play a role in overseeing the resolution of cases.
The House Speaker said that mental support and systemic rules must also be provided to assist victims in recovering from trauma.
She highlighted that related parties must assist victims in recovery and provide legal assistance to ensure all the rights of the victim are fulfilled.
In addition, she encouraged victims of sexual violence to be brave and speak up because many victims feel ashamed and helpless about revealing the sexual violence that they have experienced.
She further noted that victims of sexual violence do not need to worry or be afraid to speak up because they will be protected, including in terms of the confidentiality of their identity. (antaranews)
