Women's Commission Speak Up on the Train Sexual Assault Case

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) voiced their concern over the case that saw a woman sexually violated over a train run by Kereta Api Indonesia (PT KAI) and officers on duty handled the case.

Previously circulating the internet, the victim revealed her unfortunate experience on how a PT KAI handled the traumatic event where the victim was sexually assaulted early into the night on Tuesday, April 23, at 02:00 local time just 30 minutes after passing Tawang Station in Semarang.

“The attitude shown by the personnel happens everywhere because of the lack of knowledge on sexual violation cases, including the dangers of it being ignored,” said Komnas Perempuan member Sri Nurherwati as Tempo reached her on Sunday, April 28.

The response of a train official after the victim was physically violated by a male train passenger was non-sensible, in lack of a better word. The victim recalled in her emotional internet post that the official responded as if it was an ordinary event and blamed how the female victim dressed.

Read also: Viral Case of Sexual Assault on Train, KAI: Case Closed

PT KAI responded by apologizing for the attitude shown by one of the train security personnel; “KAI will constantly train the personnel in question,” said PT KAI public relations Edy Kuswoyo who also stated that the case was resolved in a “family manner” between the victim and the male attacker.

Moreover, Sri Nurherwati said that Komnas Perempuan last recorded a case of violations in March 2018 and recalled 2017 saw cases of violence against women in public spaces reach 3,528 cases, 704 of them were sexual assaults.

This case further supports the legitimation of the draft bill to eradicate sexual violence (RUU PKS). “This reaffirms the importance to legitimize the RUU PKS as soon as possible,” said Komnas Perempuan.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO