TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The government has released Government Regulation No. 29 of 2025 concerning Assistance Funds for Victims of Sexual Violence as a derivative of the Criminal Law on Sexual Violence. However, the regulation is considered to be insufficient in meeting the needs of victims, especially indigenous women and persons with disabilities.
This assessment was conveyed by the observer of sexual and reproductive health rights, Nur Jannah, in a press conference on the 'Government Regulation on Aid for Victims Failing to Address the Needs of Sexual Violence Survivors' held at the Tamarin Hotel, Jakarta, on Monday, July 21, 2025. 'The regulation potentially restricts victims' access to recovery,' said Nur.
Activist from Safe Women, Yeryana, mentioned the geographical and structural barriers experienced by indigenous women in accessing justice. One of the obstacles is when victims seek access or report to the police, go through trials, and await judgment.
Victims from indigenous communities and persons with disabilities often have to travel through muddy roads for tens of kilometers. In addition, there are areas that can only be accessed through river transportation, taking up to a dozen hours to reach the nearest police precinct. 'It is very challenging for us indigenous women,' said Yeryana.
In addition to physical barriers, Yeryana highlighted the inflexibility of the legal system that is inconsistent with customary practices. She also emphasized that in customary justice, victim recovery has never been part of the decision. 'There is no provision for victim recovery such as trauma and others,' she said.
Stigma and social pressure also become dominant factors that make it difficult for victims to report. 'If she is still a girl, who will want to marry her,' she said. 'Or when she is married, there is a high potential for divorce.'
Yeryana regretted the government's policy that continues to leave many disabled women unprotected. She stressed, 'If some of us cannot be protected because of this existing regulation, then what's the point?'
Deputy Chair II of Advocacy and Awareness Enhancement of the Indonesian Disabled Women's Association (HWDI), Rina Prasarani, also criticized the exclusivity of the regulation. She stated that disabled women face layered challenges.
They need assistance and interpreters, especially for deaf victims who have not received formal education. Unfortunately, this government regulation does not provide a mechanism to ensure such services.
She highlighted the weak role of the state in providing direct assistance to disabled survivors of sexual violence. She mentioned that the burden of recovery and assistance is largely borne by civil society organizations. 'All these burdens are shouldered by organizations,' Rina emphasized.
Rina stated that only disabled women with financial and mental strength can access the legal process. 'If this continues to be tolerated, what will happen is that perpetrators targeting these vulnerable victims will easily prey on them again,' she asserted.
Mike Verawati Tangka from the Indonesian Women's Coalition added that the aid fund scheme in this regulation actually narrows the meaning of restitution. 'Restitution that already exists will be processed by the LPSK, the rest,' she said.
However, according to her, the victim's losses should be acknowledged from the outset of the incident, not just when the court has ruled.
She also criticized the funding sources that do not come from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget. Because the funding sources are from philanthropy. However, according to her, it is the state that should bear the responsibility for victim recovery, not civil society organizations.
'This is the responsibility of the state and the budget nomenclature should be clear from the State Budget or Regional Budget,' she said.
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