In cases of violence against women and children, the case is not finished with the perpetrator being punished, but a recovery process is still required. Therefore, restorative justice is neededJakarta (ANTARA) - The application of recovery-based restorative justice by law enforcement officers is needed for dealing with cases of violence against women and children, a law expert from the University of Indonesia, Lidwina Inge Nurtjahyo, has said.
"In cases of violence against women and children, the case is not finished with the perpetrator being punished, but a recovery process is still required. Therefore, restorative justice is needed," she remarked at an online seminar on Friday.
She explained that the recovery process could be in the form of counseling, strengthening the victim's self-capacity, or medical services. Through this process, survivors can feel safe to return to their social life outside the home, she added.
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Nurtjahyo cited the example of a domestic violence case that had occurred in Timor Leste. In addition to being given counseling to recover from the trauma, the victim also met with the perpetrator, she said.
"In the context of the domestic violence case that happened in Timor Leste, during our research, if the victim was strong enough, then she would be planned to meet the perpetrator," she added.
If, according to the counselor, a perpetrator has changed for the better, then he would be permitted to meet his wife, she said.
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In the Timore Leste case, the couple was encouraged to have a dialogue and discuss the cause behind the violence, she added.
“Turns out, this is also part of the recovery process for victims. They said they were no longer afraid when they met the perpetrators," she noted.
However, she emphasized that in sexual violence cases that do not involve married couples, arranging a meeting between the two parties cannot be done.
According to her, in such cases, it is advisable for the victims to meet an expert counselor who can help them with their recovery process.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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