Sexual Violence in Bali

The news of sexual violence in the past two years has increased. During the Covid19 pandemic, the Bali Provincial Child Protection Organizing Commission (KPPAD) noted that cases of sexual violence against minors had increased. Based on KPPAD's records from the news during 2020, there were around 45 minors who were victims of sexual violence. Whereas in the previous year, it was recorded that around 28 minors were victims of sexual abuse.

Most of the perpetrators, in this case, are their closest people. The rest are new people known through social media. The average victim is in his teens, some are still in elementary school. This is very concerning, as these children should be able to enjoy their youth, but instead, they are given a deep trauma. Some of the main factors causing the high number of cases of sexual violence against children from year to year are due to power relations, where the perpetrator has rights over the victim's body. Several other factors, namely the economic and psychological difficulties of parents or families, contribute to the lack of child supervision.

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Sexual violence in the university environment has also begun to emerge following the issuance of the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology Regulation Number 30 of 2021 concerning the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence. The Bali Legal Aid Institute (LBH) presented shocking data on sexual harassment cases on campus. There are 45 female students suspected of being victims of immoral acts, 42 of whom are Udayana University students and three of whom are Warmadewa University students.

The majority of the perpetrators are students, but there are also lecturers. Usually, this mode is done when students are doing thesis guidance. Apart from lecturers and students, the perpetrators also came from traders and construction workers who were in the campus area and the general public. The data on victims of sexual violence has been submitted to the campus. However, Udayana University has not taken any action, while Warmadewa University has issued the perpetrators of sexual violence. So far, some victims are still considering taking legal action. "There are various considerations. Starting from concerns in proving, fear of being reported back with a defamation offense to intimidation.

As a follow-up, KPPAD is currently coordinating with relevant parties such as the Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (UPT PPA) to assist. The education office needs to socialize sexual violence to children to prevent them from becoming victims. Where they must have the courage to fight and report if they experience sexual violence. In addition, it is necessary to guide parents about the dangers and impacts of sexual violence, including the perpetrators so that they do not repeat the same act.

By Kurnia Wardani M.J.