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Seruni Bali: Counseling and assistance for women victim of violence

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“There are far too many silent sufferers. Not because they don’t yearn to reach out, but because they ’ ve tried and found no one who cares. ”

-Richelle E. Goodrich

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Violence against women is common universal issue occurring in every part of the world. Sadly, many victims of violence usually do not talk about the abuse, it's either because of the normalization of the abuse, minimization of the abuse (such as bullying), shame, fear, and lack of support.

We had an opportunity to talk with Ufiya Amirah, the Head of Organization ’ s Preparatory Committee of Seruni Bali, where women victims of violence can ask for help. Seruni is an abbreviation of Serikat Perempuan Indonesia (Indonesian Women ’ s Union). Seruni Bali was founded in 2018.

The story behind the foundation of Seruni Bali is due to the void of the progressive Balinese women's movement. Considering the rampant exploitation of female workers, the massive trafficking of children, and the silence of universities in Bali for sexual violence cases experienced by their civitas. In 2018, Seruni Bali became a major women's labor movement in Bali. However, Seruni is not exclusive to labor organizations. Seruni reaches out to students, especially at Udayana University. After Seruni's leadership shifted to students in 2020, the Seruni movement focused on the non-fulfillment of student rights, especially in the context of fighting sexual violence in universities.

Seruni aims to achieve gender equality and a better life for Indonesian people. Seruni understands that oppression of women is inseparable from oppression of the people so that Seruni takes the position of being part of the people's movement and fighting together for the interests of the people and advancing the interests of women. Seruni's basic principles are volunteerism and democracy.

As for their activities, Seruni Bali activities are based on the programs in each committee. The Education and Culture Committee provides education on a regular basis to Seruni members according to the level of understanding of members; The Economic Committee runs production for Seruni's financial supply; The Campaign and Mass Service Committee runs to investigate the situation and needs of the masses, and the Organizational Committee schedules regular meetings for Seruni's agenda. Seruni Bali has also opened a complaint post for victims of sexual violence at Balinese universities with three methods, as follow:

Fill out the complaint report via the link bit.ly/StopBungkam

Call and/or WhatsApp +6282332531825,

Meet directly with the Seruni party at the Seruni Secretariat and/or the

Seruni party who will meet the victim.

The method of reporting cases of sexual violence is adjusted to the comfort of the victim. In handling cases of sexual violence, Seruni provides: 1.Psychological counseling to help trauma victims recover, 2.Legal protection assistance, 3.And a Safe Home for survivors.

Afiya also briefly explained some causes of violence against women, in general view, as long as patriarchy is still the dominant system in our social reality, a sexist society that objectifies women will always exist. From the reading of cases of sexual violence that Seruni received, there are several factors that specifically cause sexual violence to occur: power relation, victim blaming, weak law, and lack of sexual education.

In the end, Afiya and Seruni Bali hope that Indonesian women can be empowered and empower each other, and work in justice because there is never a change alone, change is born from unity. Women should not be exclusive in their identity, we are inclusive for everyone. Don't be afraid to fight!

And if you are a woman and want to be a part of Seruni Bali, register yourself by filling out the form via the link bit.ly/FormPendaftaranSERUNI after which you must attend Seruni Organization Basic Education, and then you are ready!

I raise up my voice, not so that I can shout, but so that those without a voice can be heard. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. Malala Yousafzai

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