"We are now striving to gather support from parties for the Sexual Violence Eradication Bill. We hope to see the same support from the public," Moerdijat noted during an online seminar on the bill, cited from a statement received here, Friday.
Apart from support to legislators in the parliament, the people are also encouraged to back the bill outside the parliament by disseminating information and increasing public awareness of the content and benefits of the bill, especially those opposed to the sexual violence eradication bill.
The deputy speaker believed that public understanding of the bill was yet limited, thereby hindering the formulating process of the bill.
Moerdijat further noted that one of the key challenges in passing the bill was the ongoing misunderstanding of some of the clauses stipulated in it.
"The Sexual Violence Eradication bill is not only prioritizing the interests of women but it is also a legal tool to protect all Indonesian nationals," she reiterated.
Coordinator of Legal Reform from the Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH APIK), Dian Novita, stated that in the handling of sexual violence cases, difficulties were often encountered while entering the legal processes.
She cited the Foundation’s observation that out of 46 sexual violence cases against children, only seven made it to legal proceedings.
"Out of 103 cases of sexual violence cases against adults, only eight cases made it to the legal phase," she expounded.
A lack of legal basis had also posed a challenge in ensuring justice for the victims of sexual abuse cases without contact, including forced abortion and forced marriages, psychologist Gisella Tani Pratiwi stated, adding that it prevented the public from feeling safe and secure.
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Translator: Imam Budilaksono/Aria Cindyara
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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