TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) is set to organize a 16-Day Campaign of Anti-violence against Women. The focused agenda will be to push for the ratification of the sexual violence eradication bill (RUU TPKS).

“In the last five years, there were 24,786 cases of sexual violence. The reports came from service agencies, government institutions, or direct complaints to Komnas Perempuan,” said Satyawanti Mashudi as the commissioner of Komnas Perempuan in a press conference, Wednesday, November 24.

Satyawanti outlined that 7,344 of the total cases were recorded as rape cases. However, less than 30 percent were processed lawfully. According to her, this shows that the aspect of legal substance has not yet addressed a number of sexual assault acts.

Besides, the victims are still on the verge of uncertainty, while in fact, complaints of violent cases are increasing during the pandemic.

Satyawanti also emphasized the importance of the law in favor of the victim in order to give complete protection for them, as well as to break the chain of sexual violence and provide a comprehensive recovery.

“The law should not only think about prosecuting perpetrators. The recovery of the victim is necessary for them to recover and continue their life in the future,” Satyawanti added.

Satywanti further argued that there was a setback in the substance of the sexual violence eradication bill during the last discussion because of the elimination of the controversial phrase ‘consent’.

The international campaign of anti-violence against women was first started in Indonesia in 2001. The annual campaign usually commences from November 25 until December 10. However, Komnas Perempuan is determined to hold the campaign until December 22 in coincidence with Mother's Day.

Read: Working Committee Scraps 'Consent' from Sexual Violence Bill

JESSICA ESTER