Domestic violence is a criminal act feared by spouses and other family members. Anyway, because of socialization on domestic violence matters held by Jakarta Capital City, the number of domestic violence case declines year to year.
In 2007, there were 1,583 cases of domestic violence in Jakarta. The number declined in 2008 to be 1,448 cases. Meanwhile, in 2009 there have been only 466 cases.
“Although the number is still high, but it declines more and more during the year,” Margaretha Hanita, Jakarta second Deputy Head of Women and Children Empowerment Integrative Service Center (P2TP2A) said, at the event of Low Awareness about Act of Domestic Violence Workshop and Education for Dharma Wanita Organization in West Jakarta mayor office, Wednesday (11/4).
Hanita stated that this showed people awareness of the danger of domestic violence.
Even so, she hoped people will not get doze. Domestic violence is a serious crime, especially for the women; most women are ashamed to report the case. It is because domestic violence is a private matter. "The victims are afraid of being divorced by their husband. They hope things will get better soon without any help from other people,” she explained.
Out of 466 cases in 2009, physical violence is 59%, psychological violence is 29%, sex abuse is 11% and household negligence is 1%."Most of the victims are women and the causing factor is patriarchal culture,” she added.
Most of domestic violence victims are 23 years old in average and a penniless housewife. As many as 56% of the victims are those who are in the newly marriage period (1 to 10 years old of marriage).
Head of Unit for Women and Children Service (PPA) for the Crime Unit City Police, Superintendent Murnila, who is the informant of the event, stated “We can provide mediation for the victims and the criminal; it is seldom that the criminal to be imprisoned.”
But there is a possibility that the criminal will be legally processed. “We will use Act No. 23/2004 about domestic violence as the legal device,” he said.
So far, there have been 4 kinds of domestic violence: physical violence causing pain, psychological violence causing fear, sex abuse and household negligence.
The victim gets sexually abused when she refuses to do intercourse but her husband forces her. Meanwhile, the household negligence happens when a husband does not fulfill the basic necessities of life.
It is hoped the victims would report the domestic violence to Police as soon as possible. Police will give preventive action to help the wives.