Jakarta (ANTARA) - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga highlighted the importance of the availability of safe houses in the handling of violence, especially cases of domestic violence.

"Shelters or safe houses are crucially needed in the handling of cases of violence, especially domestic violence," the minister noted in a statement here on Wednesday.

Puspayoga remarked that based on the Women and Child Protection Online System Information (SIMFONI PPA), domestic violence was the most reported type of violence.

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To this end, the existence of safe houses is a form of the government's commitment to creating a safe and comfortable environment for all.

Currently, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection is developing a safe houses policy by modeling the Star Shelter concept developed by the Government of Singapore.

"Our ministry is building safe houses for women and child victims of violence and is in the process of developing policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the Singapore Council of Women Organizations and Star Shelter, who have been running these shelters for a long time, can give inspiration," she remarked.

Star Shelter is a safe space for women and child victims of domestic violence in Singapore.

She noted that the good practice of Star Shelter implementation in Singapore would provide a comprehensive understanding of the protection and fulfillment of the rights of women and child victims of violence.

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The minister deemed it crucial for safe houses for women and children to be realized soon.

The 2021 National Survey of Women's Life Experience (SPHPN) shows that one in four Indonesian women has experienced physical and/or sexual violence.

Moreover, the 2021 National Survey of Children and Adolescents' Life Experience (SNPHAR) recorded that four out of 10 girls and three out of 10 boys have experienced violence in their lifetime.


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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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