Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – The number of cases of violence against women increased in 2016, according to the annual report of the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan).

Throughout 2016 the commission received 1,354 reports, an increase of 8.5 percent from 2015, the report said. "The number of reports received by Komnas Perempuan increases every year," the commission's chairwoman Azriana said during the launch of the report in Jakarta on Wednesday.

Despite being alarming, she said the rising trend also signaled an increasing awareness of the importance of reporting cases. Azriana said that there were still many challenges facing women in the country.

"Violence against women is still seen as a crime against morality. Furthermore, our development program hasn't made enough effort in the eradication of violence against women, as it is often times limited to domestic abuse," she said. (wit)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/02/08/violence-against-women-rising-komnas-perempuan.html