JAKARTA. A House of Representatives lawmaker has criticized the government's inaction on aiding the recovery of victims of sexual crimes, pointing out that the newly signed regulation in lieu of law ( Perppu ) on sexual violence against children was purely perpetrator oriented.
Rahayu Saraswati, a member of House Commission VIII overseeing religious and social affairs, said Perppu No.1/2016, which amends the 2002 Child Protection Law, had not accommodated sexual crime victims' right to assistance as they repair the damage caused by the crime.
"We’ve noted that in the Perppu, the state is not there for the victims of sexual crime. This means [victims] don’t have funding for rehabilitation and counseling," Rahayu said. She was speaking before the House's plenary meeting at the House complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Thursday.
Rahayu reminded her fellow lawmakers to speak up on the need for the government and the state to be attentive to the victims, possibly offering help in the form of restitution and compensation.
Law No. 21/2007 on the elimination of human trafficking is currently the only regulation that provides for restitution to victims.
Contrary to the Perppu, the draft sexual violence bill, which is currently being discussed for possible inclusion in the 2016 priority national legislation program ( Prolegnas ), is widely perceived as victim-oriented legislation.
President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo signed on Wednesday a regulation in lieu of law ( Perppu ) on sexual violence against children.
The Perppu stipulates harsher sanctions and additional punishments for sex crimes against children, with new provisions allowing for chemical castration and the death penalty for pedophiles and child rapists. (Erika Anindita Dewi)
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