Bumi Lestari Institution (LBL) has conducted socialization of the Law on Sexual Violence (UU TPKS) in six assisted villages. The assisted villages are; Kalamba Village, Ndapayami Village, Wanggameti Village, Mbatakapidu Village, Mauramba Village, and Meurumba Village. This activity involved various elements of society. Including representatives of the sub-district government, village government, BPD, LPM, traditional institutions, women's figures, and people with disabilities.
LBL Director, Stef Landu Paranggi, said that this socialization aims to eliminate acts of sexual violence against indigenous peoples. Especially for indigenous women, both domestic violence and sexual violence. This issue has become a serious concern for the government and humanitarian activists because the number of sexual violence continues to increase. With indigenous peoples, children, and people with disabilities as the most vulnerable groups.
Victims of sexual violence in rural areas often escape the attention of law enforcement officers. This occurs due to various factors, such as lack of knowledge about the categories or types of sexual violence. Also ignorance about how to report, as well as discrimination from family or society. Therefore, LBL with the support of KEMITRAAN through the ESTUNGKARA Program, considers it necessary to conduct socialization of UUTPKS Number 12 of 2022.
The resource person in this socialization was the Head of PPA Polres East Sumba, IPTU Ahmad Furgan. Based on data from Polres East Sumba, cases of sexual violence in this region are very high. Placing East Sumba in fourth place in East Nusa Tenggara. Many cases handled involve sexual abuse by biological parents against children, guardians, and even occur in school environments. The causes vary, such as drinking alcohol and watching pornographic films.
In his material, IPTU Ahmad Furgan explained that the definition of sexual violence includes all acts that fulfill the elements of a criminal act. As regulated in the law. The general purpose of regulating criminal acts of sexual violence is based on the principles of respect for human dignity. Also prevention of all forms of sexual violence, handling, protection, and restoration of victims' rights, and creating an environment free of sexual violence.
He also explained the forms of KS acts, including non-physical sexual harassment, physical sexual harassment, forced contraception, forced sterilization, forced marriage, sexual torture, sexual slavery, and electronic-based sexual violence. The punishment for perpetrators of sexual violence is very severe, ranging from years of imprisonment, fines, to castration.
The implementation of this socialization received appreciation from the village government and all elements of the indigenous community. They were very grateful to LBL and the police who had provided an understanding of the UUTPKS. It is hoped that with this socialization, the community in the LBL assisted villages can avoid KS acts and be more aware of their rights.
Through this socialization effort, LBL hopes to increase public awareness about the importance of eliminating KS. Especially in indigenous communities who are often invisible victims. Let us support the efforts of LBL and related parties in creating a safe environment free from sexual violence.
