Egi Adyatama, Jakarta – The Indonesian Women's Commission said that the rape of 13 female students in an Islamic boarding school in Bandung is evident that Indonesia (RI) is in dire need of a law on protection against sexual violence.
The commissioner, Siti Aminah Tardi, said that this sexual violence emergency highlights the importance of providing a comprehensive legal umbrella.
"It must contain elements to prevent sexual violence, including in the world of education," Siti Aminah Tardi when contacted, Monday, December 13.
The Draft Law on the Crime of Sexual Violence (RUU TPKS), said Siti, could be an effort to lower the rate of these crimes.
As of December 8, 2021, she said, this bill already contained articles on the prevention of sexual violence in places of education. The bill also encourages mandating educational institutions to prevent sexual violence and build safe spaces for students.
"Considering the fact that, in general, cases of sexual violence are difficult to prosecute because they relate to the power relationship between the victim and the perpetrator," Siti said.
The Women's Commission data showed that among places of education, Islamic boarding schools/education recorded the second-most cases of sexual violence after universities. The data, compiled from 2015 to 2020, shows that these crimes happened at all levels and types of education.
Siti said that one of the causes for sexual violence to occur in Islamic boarding schools is the lack of regulation that guarantees the rights of students. There is no obligation for pesantren administrators to build a safe space from abuse and violence, including sexual violence.
This is made worse by the culture of denial that sexual violence could not happen in a religious environment that supposedly teaches the values of kindness.
"The truth is, it continues to happen, and it is difficult for the victims to get justice and therapy because they have been silenced to protect the image of the pesantren," Siti said.