Jakarta – The number of reported cases of violence against women has continued to increase despite ongoing anti-violence campaigns, a National Commission on Violence Against Women survey has indicated.

The commission noted, however, that many women were now confident enough to report the perpetration of violence against them.

In its annual report, the commission stated that the total number of cases of violence against women in 2006 reached 22,512, up from the 20,391 cases reported in 2005 and the 14,020 cases in 2004. In 2003, only 7,787 cases were recorded.

"Just like the previous years, domestic violence remains our biggest problem with a total of 16,709 cases (76 percent), followed by violence that happens in the community with 5,240 cases (23 percent). The survey has also found 43 cases of violence by the state apparatus," the commission's chief, Kamala Chandrakirana, said at the launching of the body's annual report Wednesday, one day before International Women's Day.

Kamala said more than 60 percent of cases last year were directly reported by the victims, indicating that awareness of the issue among the general public was currently strong.

The commission reported that more than 70 percent of cases from 2005 were also reported directly by victims to the commission or its partners.

In addition to victims' reports, the commission and its working partners across the country also compiled its data from reports from witnesses, a national telephone hotline and referrals from other institutions. The media also contributed, reporting 1,200 cases in 2006.

The recent survey found that as many as 1,259 cases of violence occurred among migrant workers. Nine cases were also found to have occurred among women refugees in the tsunami-hit province of Aceh and among the Ahmadiyah community.

Kamala said, however, that there were good signs springing from the struggle to minimize violence against women, with the government now producing policies and regulations favorable to women.

"The new law on citizenship that took effect last year is just one example. And there is also the new police law, which allows policemen charged with crimes to be tried in district courts," she said.

Meanwhile, at Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) headquarters, women activists said that despite the new law against domestic violence, "The state still allowed the opportunity for violence against women through various laws and regulations."

Activists cited regional regulations, such as curfews, which have led to the unfounded arrests of women on suspicion of prostitution.

Activists from various organizations, including Fatayat NU, Jurnal Perempuan, LBH APIK and the Coalition for Indonesian Women met at NU headquarters to welcome International Women's Day on Thursday.