MAMPU Held Internal Brown Bag Lunch Discussion on the Elimination of Sexual Violence Bill Draft

On 7 October 2016, MAMPU Program held an internal Brown Bag Lunch discussion on Sexual Violence Elimination Bill Draft (RUU PKS). MAMPU Brown Bag Lunch (BBL) is a monthly event at the MAMPU office, which is specially made for MAMPU and its partners’ sharing knowledge to the public. This discussion was facilitated by Heni Pancaningtyas (Parliamentary Stream and Collective Action Manager – MAMPU Program) and Nurus S. Mufidah (Stream Parliamentary Officer – MAMPU Program).

The purpose of this discussion is to provide more information, in-depth knowledge and updates related the reasons, urgency and also advocacy progress of this bill draft conducted by MAMPU partners on violence against women, National Commission for Women (Komnas Perempuan) and Forum Pengada Layanan (FPL)

Every day, at least 35 women and children have been sexually abused (Komnas Perempuan, 2012), while the existing legislation does not answer the need. Therefore, this bill draft is considered very important to overcome these problems. In 2016, RUU PKS managed to become one of the priorities in the national legislation program to be discussed and passed in the House of Representatives.

Elimination of Sexual Violence bill specifically regulates the sexual violence crime as a specific criminal offense, not only as a crime against morality. The substance of the bill draft includes prevention, treatment, recovery and protection of victims.

Overview of sexual violence policy before and after the introduction of this bill draft will be more extensive and detailed, for example related to the definition of sexual violence, the rights of victims, the trial, proof, prevention, restitution (reimbursement materially), the role of state institutions, as well as the role of the service provider.

Definition of Sexual Abuse includes any act condescending, insulting, offensive, sexual desire and / or reproductive functions, by force, against the will of a person, and a person is not able to give consent in a free state.

The nine forms of sexual violence in the Bill draft, are: 1. Sexual abuse; 2. Sexual exploitation; 3. The imposition of contraception; 4. Forced abortion; 5. Rape; 6. Sexual Torture; 7. Forced Prostitution; 8. Sexual Slavery ; 9. Forced marriage

As the prevention efforts to the elimination of sexual violence, it will be the obligation of the State Agency both in central and local government. To that end, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPA) will coordinating with all parties involved, while the National Commission for Women and KPAI prepare materials and implementation guidance.