The House of Representatives (DPR) is committed to the prompt ratification of the sexual violence prevention bill (RUU TPKS) along with the government, Speaker Puan Maharani stressed in a statement issued here on Thursday.

According to Maharani, this commitment has been driven by the increasing prevalence of sexual violence cases, which has made the ratification of the sexual violence prevention bill an urgent need.

“The rape cases in Bandung and Maros have added to the long line of sexual crimes in Indonesia, including the child exploitation case by a religious mentor some time ago,” she noted.

“DPR is ready to complete the bill,” she affirmed.

She asserted that the DPR is ready to make an effort to have the sexual violence prevention bill ratified into law without delay.

The approval of the bill as DPR’s initiative bill is only a matter of time, she noted.

The Legislative Body (Baleg) of the DPR has already completed discussions on the bill, she explained.

During the 2021-2022 Third Session Period, DPR will strive to have the bill brought to the plenary meeting so it can be approved as a DPR initiative bill, she informed.

This will be done so that the stages of the bill’s ratification proceed in accordance with the existing mechanism, according to Maharani.

DPR supports the immediate ratification of the bill into law so that victims of sexual crimes can receive further legal assurance and justice, she added.

To this end, she said she expects the government to quickly process the Presidential Letter after the bill is made a DPR initiative bill so that discussions at the second level can proceed smoothly.

“Sexual violence is an extraordinary crime, and we cannot sit by and let it plant its roots within our nation. There is no place for sexual crime perpetrators in Indonesia,” Maharani affirmed.

Source: Antara News