Jakarta – More than 2,400 people have signed a petition urging the Jakarta Police to charge Sitok Srengenge, a notable poet who allegedly raped a University of Indonesia (UI) student.

The online petition, which was accessible on the change.org Indonesia website, was launched to put pressure on the police to name Sitok a suspect in the case.

The petition, which has been online for three weeks, will be submitted by the student's defense counsel to the Jakarta Police on Tuesday. Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said last week that Sitok would undergo questioning as a witness on Wednesday.

The lawyers for Sitok's alleged victim were furious that the poet would only be questioned as a witness in the case. "We are still hoping that Sitok will be named a suspect, as a witness can claim privileges if he is summoned. For instance, he can pretend to be ill to avoid questioning," said Saras Dewi, a UI lecturer who has been counseling the victim.

Saras said the victim's defense lawyers were generally concerned by the attitude on the part of the police, who seemed to be neglecting the case by dragging their feet over the investigation, although several people had given police incriminating statements against Sitok.

Supporters of the alleged rape victim are expected to stage a rally in front of Jakarta Police headquarters when the change.org petition is handed over. "The victim's friends from her campus have been conducting rallies to demand justice in this case," she added.

The victim, through her legal team, reported Sitok for rape with the Jakarta Police on Nov. 29 last year. Following her police report, she was questioned three times by the police.

Iwan Pangka, head of the student's legal team, said she had become more distressed after the police questioning, especially after learning that she was pregnant – allegedly with Sitok's child.

"We sense that Sitok is getting special treatment from the police. This is detrimental for other rape victims who may decide not to report their cases, as law enforcement agencies tend to be skeptical about reports of sexual violence," he said.

Sitok, 48, a well-known poet within the Salihara Art Community, met his alleged victim for the first time at an art event held by UI's school of humanities in December 2012.

In March 2013, Sitok asked her to visit his workplace at the Salihara community in South Jakarta, but then changed his mind and told her to come to his boarding house instead. Once in his room, Sitok allegedly plied the young woman with alcohol and raped her, resulting in her pregnancy. Sitok also allegedly threatened her if she told anyone what had happened.

Sitok previously admitted that he had sexual intercourse with the student, but claimed it was consensual. Separately, two other young women accused Sitok of sexual abuse, although they did not report him to police. (gda)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/03/hundreds-sign-petition-have-poet-prosecuted-rape.html