House Officially Passes Sexual Violence Bill into Law

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) has officially passed the sexual violence bill (RUU TPKS) into law today, April 12. This ratification was carried out at the House’s 19th Plenary Meeting for Session IV of 2021-2022.

“Can the bill regarding sexual violence be approved and passed into law?,” the House Speaker Puan Maharani who chaired the session asked the lawmakers in attendance, Tuesday, April 12.

“Approved,” answered the lawmakers followed by the knock of the mallet by Puan.

Eight of nine House factions approved the bill. They are the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Golkar Party, Gerindra Party, NasDem Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Democrat Party, and the United Development Party (PPP). 

Only one faction, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) objected to the ratification of the bill as it was waiting for the ratification of the revised Criminal Code (KUHP).

In its discussion, the bill regulates crimes of sexual violence; punishment; special procedural law that presents a victim-centered approach by providing access to restitution from a so-called victims’ trust fund, integrated services, rehabilitation for victims, and others that overcomes obstacles to justice for victims. 

The bill will also regulate sexual violence acts that have not been categorized as criminal acts yet or have only been partially regulated, such as sexual harassment, forced contraception, forced sterilization, forced marriage, sexual torture, sexual exploitation, sexual slavery, and cyber sexual harassment.

Read: House to Ratify Sexual Violence Bill into Law Today

DEWI NURITA