DPR Finds Middle Ground in Sexual Violence Eradication Bill

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The team of experts of the House of Representatives (DPR) Legislation Body (Baleg) designed a new bill on the sexual violence eradication bill (RUU PKS). The team also proposed a new name for it, which is the 'sexual violence criminal law' or RUU TPKS.

Other changes include the scope of sexual violence from nine to only four types. The Baleg chairman for the bill, Willy Aditya, said the initial draft was based on the results of a number of hearings involving various stakeholders, both from supporting and opposition groups.

“We realize and understand that the emergence of this new title and materials spark criticism from several groups,” said Willy on Tuesday, September 7.

The initial draft, he confirmed, is still open to various inputs and views in the next discussions. He considered the criticism as significant progress in the ongoing discussion of this much-anticipated bill.

Willy did not dismiss issues that the new draft was aimed at finding a middle ground. “We are stuck in the left-wing and right-wing extremist parties. Each has their own perspective in honoring women but stands on their own political choices. So the most effective way is to find a middle ground,” he told Tempo.

The Baleg member from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction, Bukhori Yusuf, asked that the sexual violence rules in the RUU TPKS not be separated from the divine norm as noted in the constitution and Law No. 1/1974 on marriage. He opined that sexual activities outside of marriage should be considered a crime. “That is the middle point,” Bukhori told Tempo on Tuesday, September 7.

Read: Minister: Don't Glorify Sexual Violence Perpetrators Even If They're Celebs

BUDIARTI UTAMI PUTRI