Reading Data on Sexual Violence in Indonesia in 2024

The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has again released a document recording cases of sexual violence in Indonesia for the 2024 period. The report records 3,166 cases that have been received and verified by Komnas Perempuan. Meanwhile, reporting data shows that there were 17,792 cases of sexual violence. However, the document does not explain in detail the reasons for the significant difference between the two figures.

Since the Sexual Violence Criminal Law (TPKS) was passed in 2022, reports of sexual violence to Komnas Perempuan have increased. The public now has a better understanding that sexual harassment is a criminal offense that can be reported. In addition, the types of sexual violence have also been explained more clearly, so that victims are more confident in reporting. Previously, many cases of harassment were not reported because there was no strong legal basis, and reports only emerged when the violence was very severe, such as rape.

This includes Electronic-Based Sexual Violence (KSBE), which was not previously classified separately. Now, ESV is the most commonly reported type of violence, with 1,687 cases. It takes various forms, ranging from the distribution of intimate content without consent, online harassment, to sexual threats in digital spaces. Even so, direct harassment is still quite high, with 260 cases of physical sexual harassment and 92 cases of rape.

The document also records the perpetrators of violence reported by victims. A total of 27% were social media friends, 26% were ex-boyfriends, and 18% were strangers. Then, 13% were committed by boyfriends and 8% by friends, with the rest committed by family or other close relatives.

Based on this data, it appears that perpetrators of violence are often people close to the victims, such as boyfriends, ex-boyfriends, and friends. On the other hand, the high number of perpetrators who are social media friends shows that the digital space is still not a safe place for women.

On the one hand, the increase in reports of sexual violence gives us some hope, as it shows that more victims are brave enough to report incidents and that these reports are being taken more seriously. However, on the other hand, these figures remain saddening because they reflect that many people still have to live with the shadow of sexual violence. The hope is that this data will not remain mere numbers but will actually encourage the creation of policies that protect victims and deter perpetrators, as well as increase awareness among everyone, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children.