Djemi Amnifu, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara – A group of NGOs has called for greater efforts to stop rampant violence against women and children in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), after recording 119 of such cases from 2013 to 2016.
These 119 cases include gang rapes and sexual assaults, in which 93 percent of the victims were children under 18.
"Most perpetrators are close with or known by the victims; 56 percent are family members, while 26 percent are boyfriends," said Timor Adil and Setara Consortium coordinator Ansi Rihi Daha, citing data from the Women's Legal Aid Foundation (LBH APIK), which had long assisted victims of violence in seeking justice.
According to the foundation, the number only represented cases reported to the authorities. It believes many cases of violence against children and women are left unreported.
Ansi said that in 2017, seven NGOs – namely LBH APIK, CIS Timor, Suara Sanggar Perempuan (SSP), Yabiku, Lopo Belajar Gender, Koalisi Perempuan NTT and Bengkel Appek, all part of the Timor Adil and Setara Consortium – held a 16-day campaign to celebrate International Anti Violence Against Women Day.
"This consortium is a power that works to reduce violence against children and women in NTT by preventing and resolving the crime," Ansi said, adding that the campaign was supported by worldwide development organization Oxfam.
Oxfam's gender justice partner coordinator, Juliana Ndolu, said Indonesia had hosted the campaign every year since 2003, including in NTT, as a part of efforts to eradicate violence against women. (nmn/ebf)