Indonesia has adopted a key law on sexual violence

Indonesia flag / Photo INA Photo Agency / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Indonesia's parliament today passed a long-awaited sexual violence law aimed at facilitating cases and helping victims seek justice in a country where sexual violence is often seen as a private issue.

Most lawmakers backed the bill in a plenary session of parliament, outlining opposition from some conservative groups in the world's largest Muslim country after six years of deliberation.

"We hope that the introduction of this law will solve the cases of sexual violence," said MP Puan Maharani.

Activists have largely welcomed the law, although some have opposed its limited scope, as it addresses only a few sex crimes and rape has been ruled out. The government clarified that the rape was covered by a revision of the criminal law currently being worked on.

"This is certainly a step forward," said Asfinavati, a legal expert at Gender College who assisted victims of sexual violence, adding that rape should have been included in the law.

In Indonesia, there have been an increase in complaints of sexual violence, while the prosecution of sex crimes has become complicated without a specific law. Activists say victims' concerns that they will be embarrassed during questioning have deterred many from speaking out.

CSOs say it is important to see how the authorities enforce the law.

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