PORNOGRAPHY, ALCOHOL USAGE ENCOURAGING SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN RI: MINISTER By Fardah

Jakarta, May 12 (Antara)- The death of 14-year-old Yuyun after being raped by 14 teenagers in Rejanglebong District, Bengkulu Province, has sparked a public outcry across the country, and demands for a death penalty for the perpetrators.

         On May 4, at least 200 people gathered in Jakarta to protest the violence against women, as the Yuyun murder case is being compared with opening a `Pandora's Box' on the increased number of sexual assaults against women and children in the country.

         The gang rape and murder of the eighth grader took place on April 2 as she was snatched by the 14 men aged between 16 and 23, on her way home from school.

         The schoolgirl's bound body was found two days later in a ravine in a rubber plantation. She is believed to have died while being raped by the accused, who were said to be in an inebriated state.

         Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister, Yohana Yembise, and Social Affairs Minister, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, have separately visited Yuyun¿s family and also met with the young accused.

         "Indonesia is mourning. This case has shocked the state. I think such a case has happened for the first time in Indonesia," Yohana stated while visiting the family in Kasiah Kasubun village, Padang Ulak Tanding, some 117 kilometers from Bengkulu City.

         Accompanied by Bengkulu Governor Ridwan Mukti, the minister offered assistance and expressed her deepest condolences for the family of the eighth grader.

         Of the 14 rapists, two are still at large, while 12 have been detained, including seven under 18 years of age or considered juvenile under the Indonesian law, so they cannot be jailed for life but can only be awarded a maximum prison sentence of 10 years in line with the Law on Child Protection.  
    The seven juvenile suspects have only been identified with their initials D alias J (17), A (17), FS (17), S (17), DI (17), EG (16), and S (16).

         The minister affirmed that their parents could also be punished if it is proven that they were covering up their children's crimes.  
    The five other suspects are TW (19), Sk (19), Bb (20), Fs (19), and Zl (23).

         Those above 18 years of age could face a maximum punishment of a life sentence for a gang rape that claimed the victim's life.

         The minister reminded parents to always protect their children, particularly girls.

         "After returning from here, I will launch a national movement for the protection of women and children as the perpetrators of violence against them are mostly men," she emphasized.

         In the meantime, Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa urged parents to guard children from pornography that could trigger sexual crimes, such as the one that happened to Yuyun.

        "Parents must be able to guard their children, at least educate them," Minister Khofifah said.

         The 14 youngsters, who raped and killed 14-year-old Yuyun, in Bengkulu Province, Sumatra, had been influenced by the use of alcohol and pornographic content, she said.

         "The triggers, I think, are pornographic content and alcoholic beverages," she said.

         Therefore, parents must open their eyes to the possibility that their children might have accessed pornographic content from foreign as well as domestic sites, she remarked. 
    To stop them from doing that, parents must also adapt themselves to information technology, she added.

         The minister cited a statement released by the Commission for Protection of Indonesian Children (KPAI), which stated that about 70 percent of high school students in Jakarta and suburban areas had accessed pornographic sites.

         Parents also need to be educated about how to guard their children from pornographic content, she said.

         "Public education must be carried out. By who? By every stakeholder, such as the government, and NGOs," she said.

         She also reminded parents that in accordance with the Law on Child Protection, parents are responsible for the protection of their children.

         More than 59 thousand people had expressed their support for a petition to end sexual violence on the change.org website until May 9.

         Initiated by Lentera Indonesia and Magdalene Magazine, the petition has called for a deliberation on the Bill on Sexual Violence Eradication.

         The petition has also demanded severe punishment for the perpetrators and justice for the victims. 
    "A total of 12 perpetrators have been arrested and are liable to face a maximal punishment of 15 years, and usually they would be released before having served their entire jail terms. This means that all the perpetrators would be free while they are in their 30s," the petition pointed out.

         The petition also quoted data from the National Commission on Violence Against Women that some 35 Indonesian women suffer from sexual violence daily.

         According to Lentera Indonesia and Magdalene, the government and the House of Representatives have not paid adequate attention to the Bill on Sexual Violence Eradication.

         The passage of the bill into law is crucial for providing a legal umbrella and protecting the victims of sexual assault.

         "The longer it takes to complete the deliberation on the bill, more people will become victims," the petition said.

         On May 11, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had chaired a limited cabinet meeting on the prevention of violence against children.

         He had earlier stated that sexual crimes against children should be deemed extraordinary crimes.

         "Therefore, each ministry/institution should also make extraordinary efforts in every possible way to handle cases of sexual violence against children."
    Jokowi had instructed the attorney general and the National Police chief to handle such cases expeditiously and firmly. ***2***

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(T.F001/A/BESSR/A/Yosep) 12-05-2016 18:20:4