Equal Protection of the Law for Victims of Sexual Violence: Gender Perspective and the Challenge of Stigma
The National Criminal Code now recognizes men as victims of rape, breaking down the stigma of masculinity. This legal equality needs social support so that all victims dare to report.
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Legal Literacy- Equality before the law is a constitutional principle. However, in practice, not all victims of violence receive the same recognition. A gender perspective is key to seeing this gap and promoting inclusive protection. The discourse on victims in criminal law in Indonesia has often been narrowed to women. It is important to note that men can also experience criminal acts, including sexual violence. It is undeniable that women are in a vulnerable position to various forms of crime, especially sexual violence, so it is only natural that public and legislative attention is largely directed at protecting them.
Data from SIMFONI PPA (Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children) shows that from January 1, 2024 to the present, a total of 11,953 men have been reported.https://kekerasan.kemenpppa.go.id/ringkasanMeanwhile, data from the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) shows that in 2018, more male children were victims of sexual violence, with 60% of male children and 40% of female children being victims of sexual violence.https://ijrs.or.id/2023/11/30/kekerasan-seksual-pada-laki-laki-diabaikan-dan-belum-ditangani-serius-2/Judging from the data above, men can also be victims of crime, including rape and sexual violence. Unfortunately, their experiences are often ignored. Cultural stereotypes attached to masculinity make it difficult for men to be recognized as victims.https://www.tempo.co/gaya-hidup/survei-50-persen-laki-laki-enggan-mengungkapkan-perasaan-karena-takut-dicap-lemah-52029In this context, the renewal of the National Criminal Code needs to be read as a step forward to dismantle old stigmas and open up more equal protection spaces, and is also enough to open our eyes to the fact that men are also vulnerable. Unfortunately, the reality in society says otherwise: many still find it difficult to accept that men can be victims. This is where the stigma takes root.
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