Minister Asks Sexual Violence Victims to Report Cases Bravely
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Jakarta – The Indonesian Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Bintang Puspayoga has asked victims of sexual violence to report bravely that aims to get justice and punish the perpetrator.
"Victims of sexual violence must be brave to report to police officers to get handling and legal protection, as well as give deterrent effect to the perpetrator," Minister Puspayoga said at the Sunday School Children Fun Camp (Percasmi) 2023 event on Tuesday.
Then, The PPPA Minister also appreciated the panel of judges in sexual violence cases who handed down maximum sentences for the perpetrators.
"Especially in cases of sexual violence committed by biological fathers and grandfathers, the Panel of Judges of the Ambon District Court handed down maximum sentences for the perpetrators of sexual violence," the Minister said.
The verdict, according to her, gives hope that law enforcement with justice and a victim's perspective can be carried out so that it is expected to have a deterrent effect.
She said law enforcement that provides a sense of justice for victims is also an important step for the PPPA Ministry and law enforcement officials to continue to encourage victims to speak out.
"Not only at the time of the verdict in court, siding with victims is expected to occur throughout the law enforcement process, from investigation to prosecution," she said.
Minister Bintang Puspayoga also reminded the Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Agency (DP3A) and the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPTD PPA) of Maluku Province to continue to oversee and participate in the assistance needed by the survivors, even though they have returned to normal life, and the survivors' children continue to go to school as usual.
"Although the survivors have returned to normal life, support and close supervision from DP3A and UPTD PPA Maluku are still needed, especially for child survivors who need more attention to ensure their rights are fulfilled," she explained.
Minister Bintang Puspayoga hopes that the survivors' experiences can inspire and sow seeds of courage for other victims of sexual violence to speak up and report.