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Cases of violence against women, children on the rise last year: Minister
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Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, better known as Bintang Puspayoga, greets the press during the announcement of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet in Jakarta on Oct. 23, 2019. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
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ore cases of violence against children and women were reported to the authorities in 2021 than in previous years, with most cases occurring in households, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga said.
In a meeting with House of Representatives Commission VIII, which oversees religious and social affairs, women's empowerment and child protection, Bintang said the majority of the reported cases involving children were sexual abuse, while most women faced physical violence.
According to the ministry’s online database, 14,517 cases of violence against children were reported last year. The figure was an increase from 11,057 cases and 11,278 cases reported in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
The most recent case that attracted public attention was alleged rape committed by a pesantren (Islamic boarding school) teacher, Herry Wirawan, who is standing trial for allegedly raping at least 13 students between 2016 and 2021 in various pesantren where he taught.
Prosecutors have demanded that the panel of judges in Bandung District Court, West Java, sentence Herry to death for the alleged rapes. In addition, the prosecutors also demanded Herry undergo chemical castration and pay Rp 500 million (US$34,850) in fines and Rp 331 million in restitution for his victims.
Read also: Death penalty sought for alleged child rapist
Bintang called for thorough audits for boarding school institutions following the ministry’s findings, arguing that it was vital as an effort to prevent violence against children.
