My Point of View on Sexual Violence “What If I Were the Victims” Brigitta Hemadhanita Rares Ho
Background Sexual violence is a traumatizing, and a life-time recovery process in most cases for women. Despite feminist campaigns and actions in many countries wich have, to a greater or lesser extent, made sexual violance a public issue, the prevalence and impact of sexual violence in women’s lives is still not publicly acknowledge.1 The Ministry of Women's and Children's Empowerment recorded as many as 8,800 cases of sexual violence that occurred from January to November 2021. According to WHO, any sexual act, attempt to abtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed against a person’s sexuality, using coercion, by any person, regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including, but not limited to home and work, is sexual harrasment.2 However, not many victims are willing to open up to the public and tell what happened, the victim becomes embarrassed when she finds out that she is a victim of sexual violence. Many victims prefer to isolate themselves and suffer from the situation.
Analysis
Sexual violence can occur anywhere, even in public spaces that are considered safe. As a victim, there will be many things running through my mind. Feelings of annoyance, shame, humiliation, disgust all mixed into one. Not to mention bearing a bitter and painful burden. It was like a crumpled cassette that kept playing over and over in my head from time to time. The process of selfacceptance after the incident of sexual violence is very difficult. Starting from
1
Kelly, Liz. Surviving sexual violence. (John Wiley & Sons, 2013.), hlm. 5. World Health Organization, Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women: WHO clinical and policy guidelines (World Health Organization, 2013), hlm. viii 2
locking yourself in your room and contemplating your future destiny, being irritable and sensitive when other people glance at you, afraid of being judged badly and all of this is very disturbing daily activities.
Like it or not, I had to find the safest place to open up and tell what happened. Not all victims of sexual violence have the courage to speak up, but if I don't do it then I will be full of fear. When you dare to speak, there will be many pairs of eyes and ears that will also highlight this problem.
What about the public response? Currently, many still think that the main factor in the occurrence of sexual violence is the clothes and attributes of the victim, as if everyone is wearing a closed dress that will not happen. This is a logical fallacy that should be changed. Whereas the main factor lies not in the clothes and attributes of the victim, but the moral and mental damage of the perpetrator. What is very unfortunate is that there are still many victims who do not dare to speak because they feel ashamed and unnecessary, but as a victim, I feel annoyed and angry, because the perpetrators can freely live their lives in peace, while the victims while the victims are filled with fear. Unlike the family, feelings of anger and disappointment will arise, but the family will not speak ill of the victim. Although at first they blame the victim, but in the end they will find the best solution to help the victim with the services of a psychologist to treat the trauma. Many blaspheme and blame the victim, therefore the victim needs support from family and friends to live her life.
Sexual violence that occurs is not limited to the number of victims, but also a stumbling block for women's actions. As a woman, her space of movement must be limited, her guts shrunk, her expression shackled, her steps made heavy. As a victim, it takes courage and determination to face this problem. When the victim chooses to remain silent, it means the victim agrees with what happened.
Conclusions and Suggestions The one to blame is not the victim, but the person who is passionate and can't control himself. There are many ways to divert lust, shouldn't and should be by sexually harassing other people. Sexual violence is a wound that will never dry up. Despite being in the spotlight, it is not uncommon for victims who speak out to be cornered and even vulnerable to blame. Cases of sexual violence cannot be underestimated. Women also have the right to be protected. Case handling must be more serious. As a survivor, I need something that protects me, something that can give me a sense of security and comfort. A family approach is also very necessary. This problem is not the end of the world, the victim must be strong to open up what he experienced in order to reach his dreams and aspirations so that he can go to a brighter future.
References Kelly, Liz. Surviving sexual violence. (John Wiley & Sons, 2013.), hlm. 5. Kholida,
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http://repository.unissula.ac.id/13838/ World Health Organization, Responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women: WHO clinical and policy guidelines (World Health Organization, 2013), hlm. viii