The long-awaited ratification of the law on sexual violence eradication has finally come to an end. The bill, which was proposed in 2016 by National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan), was finally passed by the House of Representatives (DPR) on Tuesday (12/4). Eight of nine fractions sitting in the House approved the passing of the law. The only fraction opposing the quorum is PKS, saying thay they wanted to wait for the revision of Criminal Law.
For 6 years, the Commission along with feminists and human rights activists worked together to push the passing of the bill by the House.
The chapter 2 article 4 paragraph 1 of the law acknowledges these acts as punishable sexual violence:
- Physical sexual violence
- Non-physical sexual violence
- Contraception coercion
- Sterilization coercion
- Forced marriage
- Sexual torture
- Sexual exploitation
- Sexual slavery
- And electronic-based sexual violence.
However, activists note that the bill had not regulated the eradication of rape and forced abortion.
Activists focusing on the issue have expressed their happy cheers online following the passing of the law. However, the celebration is not yet the end of the struggle as the regulation still should be enforced nationwide.
