Suherdjoko, Semarang – More than 30 women have died after being the victims of violence in Central Java during the past year, an activist said Friday.

Gender Justice and Human Rights Center activist Fatkhurozi said data gathered by the group from various institutions from November 2005 to October 2006 found 1,976 women had became victims of violence. Thirty-three of the women died.

"It means that every month from two to three women die in this violence. Meanwhile, 1,943 others suffered from physical injuries and several were treated at mental hospitals after suffering from psychological abuse," he said.

The most common form of violence against women was rape with 146 cases, involving 187 victims, of which 11 were murdered or died. Domestic violence ranked second with 140 cases, and 266 victims, of which six died.

"The surprising thing is the increased reports of date-related violence, with 83 cases involving 86 victims. Six women died," Fatkhurozi said.

Thirteen cases of sexual harassment were recorded with 37 victims, while women migrant workers made up 30 cases with 37 victims. Nine women died.

Police and public order officials were sometimes involved in violence against commercial sex workers, with 78 cases involving 1,258 victims. Trafficking in women from the province also rose, with 70 cases recorded in the past year involving 105 victims.

Fatkhurozi said the recorded number of abused women was increasing every year. In 2004, the center found 1,695 victims of violence, which rose to 1,804 last year.

"The figure of gender-related violence is only the tip of the iceberg, we believe in reality, many more women are becoming victims," Fatkhurozi said.

He said most women suffering from abuse did not dare to report it to police, non-governmental agencies or other organizations. "The facts show that Central Java women's lives have not experienced much change. The many cases of gender-related violence show a complete picture of their dark lives," he said.

Women remained disadvantaged and victimized because the state was not doing its part to protect them, meeting their basic needs like security, and giving them equal treatment under the law. Women, he said, should also have access to decent employment, education and health care.

The center has demanded the government and provincial administrations adopt a zero tolerance policy on violence against women, endorse a draft law against human trafficking and correct gender-biased policies.