The Padang District Court finally issued Decision Number 547/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Pdg regarding the trial of the case of the perpetrator of sexual violence against victim S on 11 October 2023. In this decision, the judge stated that the four defendants were legally and convincingly proven guilty of committing the crime. criminal act. "Making threats of violence against children to allow obscene acts to be committed together," said Sayed Kadhimsyah, Chief Judge of the Padang District Court.
The judge sentenced the defendants to imprisonment for 5 (five) years each and a fine of Rp. 800 million subsidiary two months imprisonment. The judge also charged a court fee of Rp. 2,000 to the defendants. This judge's decision is considered lower than the prosecutor's demands which were read out on September 27 2023. The public prosecutor charged the defendant with the initials IS and the defendant with the initials M each with 6 years in prison. Meanwhile, the defendant with the initials A and the defendant with the initials S were each sentenced to 8 years in prison. The prosecutor also demanded that the defendants pay a fine of Rp. 800 million rupiah subsidiary 3 months in prison.
Due to the judge's decision, the victim's father said he was relieved and sincere. Because we entrust the legal process entirely to legal counsel, prosecutors and judges. He believes that the judge's decision is the best decision and has considered all legal aspects. The victim's father was very moved. With all the limitations of knowledge and access, he was able to fight for justice for his daughter all the way to court. So that the perpetrators can be subject to appropriate sanctions.
The victim's father admitted that all this time he knew that perpetrators of sexual violence in his area were only subject to customary sanctions. Despite efforts to report it to the police. He also expressed his gratitude to the legal advocacy coalition and all parties who have helped advocate for this case. The victim's father hopes that this decision can open the eyes and hearts of perpetrators of sexual violence, especially in Mentawai. That state law also applies to perpetrators of sexual violence. We also hope that every community will be braver to speak out and fight for victims of sexual violence. So don't just rely on customary law.
Leo Bago S, UPTD PPA Mentawai Islands social worker, responded that the judge had imposed a minimum sentence. However, the judge's decision must still be respected. "If the victim and family are not satisfied with this verdict, we are still willing to help advocate for an appeal," he said.
A different response was conveyed by Meri, Director of Conscience for Women at WCC, who assessed that the judge's verdict was low. He believes that the perspective of law enforcement officials is still very weak in handling sexual violence cases. This is one of the big challenges in sexual violence advocacy work. However, LBH Padang and YCMM, the coalition, still respect the judge's decision and the opinion of victim S's family regarding the judge's verdict. “The important point is that the law enforcement process has been running. "The next focus is to continue advocating for psycho-social recovery for victim S," he stressed.
