Indonesia passes sexual violence law amid growing cases

By NINIEK KARMINI
Associated Press

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Indonesia’s Parliament has approved a far-reaching law setting punishments for sexual violence after being spurred into action by a recent case in which an Islamic boarding school principal raped and impregnated several students. The legislation had languished for years amid arguments that its contravenes Indonesian religious and cultural values. The law recognizes men and children can be victims of sexual violence, and includes crimes occurring online. It also includes restitution and other remedies for victims and survivors. Only one of the nine political parties in the House of Representatives rejected the bill. The conservative Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party wanted the bill to prohibit extramarital sex and homosexual relations.