There has been an increase in violence against women during the pandemic. As couples had to stay at home, the stress of being isolated raised the chance of spousal conflicts.
In Indonesia, as of August 2020, domestic violence makes up almost two thirds of the 319 violence-related cases. Komnas Perempuan (Indonesia’s National Commission For Women) blamed it on the power imbalance between men and women. In most cases, men are the bread winners. Women would fear getting divorced and become penniless so they’d rather stay quiet and suffer in silence.
Although the number of working women has continued to increase, it doesn’t seem to change the dynamic. Working women tend to drop their job once they have a child. Hiring a nanny is so expensive that most couples cannot afford it, even with two salaries.
Sometimes, women may use marriage as an escape from a toxic working environment. Many female workers experience inappropriate behavior from their boss and/or co-workers and get no support from anyone in the company.
News about sexual violence also appears more often these days and many of the victims are children. In December, a 14 year old student was raped in Sulawesi. In November, three men raped a 7 year old boy in Banten. As Tribunnews reported, six children were raped in 2020 in Aceh – a big increase from one in 2019. In November, a 19 year old man was sentenced to 146 lashes for raping a child. In April, Kompas reports, a 16-year-old girl was raped by at least six men in Tangerang. She was later committed to an asylum and died after her family took her back home. In October, in a rape-related case, a second grade schoolboy was murdered when he tried to defend her mother from her rapist.
Some rapists would blame porn for making them do what they did. In many cases, it is just a way to persuade the law into thinking that porn, not the rapist, was the one to blame. But, is there any correlation between the two?
An opinion piece published in the New York Times revealed how porn has become the inspiration for child trafficking, rape, and violence. I agree with the writer that porn is not the problem; rape is. However, since porn is used as a medium to view rapes, change is needed. Porn websites must include a system that can filter out videos that feature depictions of rape and underaged sex. User registration must require ID identification to encourage responsible use of the sites.
A study showed that there’s a strong link between media violence and aggression. It doesn’t suggest that one single media exposure will change someone’s temperament, but it shows how ongoing exposure can increase the risk of aggression. Similar studies have been done in different countries across the world, and they come to a similar conclusion.
Many Indonesians still have a problem understanding consent, as shown by their reactions to recent news about marital rape. They think such thing doesn’t exist. They believe one can do whatever they want to their spouse once they’re married.
Celebrated national news media often use a controversial title in news about reported rapes, in a how-her-specific-beauty-features-triggered-a-man-to-rape-her format. Once it is shared on social media, readers will start peppering the post with laughing emojis. Jokes about porn and women’s bodies will later ensue.
Educating people about consent and rape may improve social control.
As for the law, the government must be able to ensure justice for the sake of the victims and their families. A lenient punishment will hardly change a person or discourage crime. I applaud the Government for their effort in preparing new measures to deter rape. But rape prevention is also as important, which is why the sexual violence bill must be approved soon.
When it comes to the victims, their rights must be protected. They have the right to report and to be protected before, during, and after a trial. They can’t be arrested for reporting. In addition to this, the government must ensure the victims’ right to physical and mental health care during their recovery. They have the right to get proper emotional and financial support when the trauma hinders their ability to work. They have the right to privacy so that their identity is kept from the public to lessen stress and hasten their recovery.
To stop violence against women, we need a united effort from all fronts.
Image credit: Ginny