Sexual Violence Act Ratification; Govt Pledge to Oversee Abortion in KUHP Bill

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The passing of the Sexual Violence Crime Bill (RUU TPKS) by members of the House on Tuesday, April 12, has been lauded by the general public. However, it does not blatantly regulate cases of rape and forceful abortion.

Law and Human Rights Deputy Minister Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej in the Parliament area promised to accommodate the two subjects in the revision of the Criminal Code (KUHP). He explained that rape is viewed as sexual violence in the TPKS, but the criminal offense is regulated in the KUHP.

“This is to ease the verification of rape and abortion that have been included in the KUHP Bill, which will be passed the latest in June this year,” said Edward in Senayan, April 12.

Edward, who is the chairperson of the government’s Criminal Code Bill team, said they are open to input from the general public that would help improve the deliberation on the two sexual violence acts. 

“We yearn for the input so that the sexual crime can be handled comprehensively,” he added.

The Sexual Violence Crime Bill oversees sexual harrasment, the forceful use of contraception, forced sterilization, forced marriages, sexual torture, sexual exploitation, sexual slavery, and electronic-based sexual violence. The law also acknowledges other forms of sexual violence mentioned in other laws and the fulfillment of victims’ rights.

Read: House Officially Passes Sexual Violence Bill into Law

DEWI NURITA