The House of Parliament (DPR) today (finally!) passed into law the Sexual Crimes Bill (RUU TPKS), after years of struggle to give broader protection from and enforce harsher punishments against sexual violence perpetrators in Indonesia.
RUU TPKS was ratified into law at a plenary session presided over by DPR Speaker Puan Maharani this morning, which was attended by representatives of women’s rights groups.
Of nine factions represented in parliament, only the conversative Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) opposed the bill, arguing that punishment for sexual crimes should fall under the purview of the Criminal Code (KUHP).
For many years, activists have long pushed for the passing of the Eradication of Sexual Violence Bill (RUU-PKS), which had been in parliamentary limbo for years amid opposition from conservative parties who wrongly argued that the bill would promote promiscuity and liberal sex values.
Last year, the bill was revised as the Sexual Crimes Bill (RUU TPKS), which only has four categories of sexual violence over its predecessor’s nine. Among the notable emissions are forced pregnancies, forced abortions, and forced prostitution.
Related — 3 Indonesian women sexually abused every 2 hours: Komnas Perempuan
Komnas Perempuan (The National Commission on Violence Against Women) expressed delight after the bill’s passing.
“After years of working, during the April 12, 2022 plenary session, RUU TPKS has been ratified to become the Sexual Crimes Law,” the tweet reads.
