"The handling of sexual violence is a cross-cutting issue that involves various related sectors starting from the central level, regional level, the community, including religious organizations, community organizations, academics, and other stakeholders," she said in a press release issued here on Monday.
Many cases of sexual violence that have been uncovered lately cannot be separated from the high participation of the community and mass organizations in preventing and handling sexual violence, she noted.
"To overcome challenges and obstacles in handling women victims of violence, comprehensive and integrated handling is needed," she highlighted.
Constructive recommendations, ideas, and initiations that can support efforts to prevent and overcome sexual violence are needed from mass organizations, the minister said.
Those are a form of the joint commitment of the government and mass organizations to work together to break the chain of sexual violence in Indonesia, she added.
She affirmed that the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection has made various efforts, including socialization, advocacy, and training, to raise awareness in the community regarding the impact and potential for violence, in accordance with the law.
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She stressed the urgent need for legal regulations for building a comprehensive system of prevention and handling of criminal cases involving sexual violence.
Therefore, it is hoped that the ratification of the Sexual Violence Bill (RUU TPKS) will provide a legal umbrella and reference for preventing all forms of sexual violence, as well as handling, protecting, and recovering victims of sexual violence, and for taking action against perpetrators and creating an environment that is free from sexual violence, she added.
Earlier, at a plenary session on January 18, 2022, the House of Representatives (DPR) had approved the RUU TPKS as a DPR initiative bill.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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