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Police criticized for alleged bullying of transgender women
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Take a stand – Mona, a transgender woman and activist from the Gay, Transgender and Men Who Have Sex with Men Network (GWL-INA), poses for a photo after speaking at a press conference at the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) in Jakarta on Wednesday. (thejakartapost.com/Viriya Paramita Singgih)
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side from suffering from discrimination and public harassment, transgender women also face bullying when filing police reports, leaving them even more socially excluded and skeptical about the state’s support, an activist has revealed.
A transgender woman and activist from the Gay, Transgender and Men Who Have Sex with Men Network (GWL-INA), who identified herself as Mona, told journalists that fellow transgender women were often verbally abused by the police when they sought protection.
Citing a recent incident, Mona said a transgender woman had reported to the police that she had been sexually assaulted. However, the police officer reportedly responded with a smile, saying “Doesn’t it feel good?”
“The police often bully us about many things, such as using a wig or wearing women’s clothing, when we file reports with them. So, our hopes that the police force could be the rescuer and protector of the public have vanished,” Mona said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The manager of the Teenage Transgender Women’s School (Swara) program, who identified herself as Vina, said previously that the police often discriminated against transgender women during legal processes.
In November last year, for instance, a transgender woman called Shella Aprilia was stabbed to death for unknown reasons in the middle of the night in Cipayung, East Jakarta. A Swara paralegal team was later dispatched to investigate the murder and follow up on the case with the police.
“When the police looked at us, it seemed they were wondering whether a transgender woman could advocate for the case. It looked like they were underestimating us,” Vina said in Jakarta on May 3.
“Everyone has the right to fair legal assistance. However, until today, Shella’s murderer has never been exposed.”
Mona said such discrimination had made transgender women doubtful about dealing with the police as officers rarely showed an intention to help.
She added that transgender women were often socially excluded, including in terms of employment. As a result, they were forced to work as street singers or even prostitutes.
“It makes them feel that they are not worthy of living in society. […] Hence, they easily suffer depression and fall into drug abuse,” Mona said.
GWL-INA recorded at least 26 cases of sexual harassment affecting gay and transgender women in Indonesia in 2015. They are calling on the House of Representatives to immediately pass a sexual violence bill that has been included in this year’s National Legislation Program (Prolegnas).
The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has listed six forms of sexual violence in the bill: rape, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, sexual control, sexual torture and sexually charged punishment. The bill stipulates a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment for sex-crime convicts. It also features several articles aimed at providing better protection for rape victims. (vps/ebf)
