The draft law on the elimination of criminal acts of sexual violence (RUU TPKS) is facing hurdles in the legislative process. Unfortunately, it won't be discussed during the two-year trial period of 2021-2022, which concludes on Thursday, December 15, 2021.
The journey of the Draft Law on the Elimination of Criminal Acts of Sexual Violence (RUU TPKS) began in 2012 when Komnas Perempuan first proposed it. Despite years of efforts, this vital legislation remains unratified. This year, it faced yet another setback in the deliberation process in the DPR.
The Nasdem Party faction and TPKS Working Committee Chair, Willy Aditya, confirmed that the TPKS Bill won't be discussed in the Plenary session. However, he did not provide further details regarding the reasons behind this decision.
The PKS Fraction Representative in the TPKS Bill Working Committee rejected the draft. They raised concerns about phrases in the bill related to sexual consent, suggesting that it could be seen as condoning extramarital sex as long as it's consensual. This perspective was deemed inconsistent with Pancasila values and Indonesian culture. The faction's rejection remains in place until the bill addresses adultery.
With sexual violence cases rising annually, the public demands swift ratification of the TPKS Bill. Students, in particular, emphasize the urgency of this approval, as these crimes frequently occur within educational settings, from elementary schools to universities.
The prolonged delay in legalizing the bill leaves victims of sexual violence without the certainty of state-backed protection. This situation discourages survivors from reporting their experiences.
While sexual violence cases against women did decrease by 31% in 2020 compared to the previous year, the figures remain alarmingly high. This ongoing crisis underscores Indonesia's dire need for effective measures to address sexual violence.
The state has a vital role to play in dealing with sexual violence. This includes supporting, protecting, and recovering victims and their families. The community continues to hope for the acceleration of TPKS Bill ratification, as delays have been prolonged enough.