PlaNet Monthly Meeting #4: Learning the Importance of Community’s Role in Preventing Sexual Violence

The monthly meeting of Plan Indonesia Youth Network (PlaNet) returned for the 4th time on Friday (22/12). The importance of Community Awareness in Preventing Sexual Violence became the theme of the discussion, as well as in the series of 16 Days Against Violence Against Women (16HAKTP).

Director of Influencing Plan Indonesia, Nazla Mariza, said that this discussion invites young people to fight all forms of violence, including sexual violence.

“Girls experience challenges that may be more severe because they are seen as more vulnerable to all forms of sexual violence. Here we try to campaign for that, fight together as a community, protect ourselves from all forms of violence, and become active bystanders,” Nazla explained in her opening speech.

Nazla Mariza Direktur Influencing Plan Indonesia dalam acara Temu Bulanan PlaNet #4

Why community plays an important role in preventing sexual violence 

The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) of the Republic of Indonesia noted that throughout 2023 there were 23,638 cases of sexual violence, with a percentage of female victims of 80.7 percent and male victims of 19.3 percent.

Meanwhile, research from the Indonesia Judicial Research Society (IJRS) reported that the majority of perpetrators of sexual violence are people closest to the victim. Ironically, people who are considered by victims as protectors, mentors, or role models have a high chance of committing sexual violence against them.

“Research proves that perpetrators of sexual violence (have a) very close relationship with victims. So why is the role of the community important? Because the cases often occur in the community itself,” said Salisa Azzahro as an IJRS Researcher and one of the speakers at the PlaNet #4 monthly meeting.

In addition, according to Salisa, existing laws and regulations are not enough to combat sexual violence. Therefore, the role of the community is very important to increase education. The goal is to be able to participate in handling and monitoring cases of sexual violence with a gender perspective and victim perspective.

Youth take action against sexual violence

As has been done by Neisya, a student who is a member of HopeHelps Universitas Indonesia (UI) as well as an alumnus of Girls Takeover Plan Indonesia 2023.

Together with her friends at HopeHelps, Neisya provides sexual violence response services for the UI academic community. HopeHelps receives reports, examines, provides psychological first aid, and schedules meetings with victims and/or complainants to map the needs and desires of victims, as well as legal assistance.

“But as young people, the preventive steps we can take include enriching ourselves on the issue of sexual violence, understanding boundaries and consent, not normalizing sexist jokes and rape jokes, and becoming bystanders,” said Neisya, on the same occasion.

Aditya Septiansyah as Campaign Lead of Plan Indonesia added, Plan Indonesia also campaigns to increase awareness and the active role of young people in fighting sexual violence. Among them are through the 16HAKTP campaigns, No! Go! Tell!, to Bystander Tuk Ruang Aman.

“From these campaigns, among the impacts is being able to influence perceptions related to sexual violence, both to prevent and handle it. Most importantly, it opens up relationships between young people and encourages collaboration in the community,” said Aditya, who also encouraged PlaNet members to network with each other.

Peserta acara Temu Bulanan PlaNet #4

About PlaNet Plan Indonesia 

PlaNet is a platform from Plan Indonesia for youth champions or young activists driving change, who have an interest in social issues, especially issues related to girls’ equality.

PlaNet currently consists of more than 400 youth champions spread across 34 provinces in Indonesia. They are young activists who have been involved in Plan Indonesia’s campaigns and programs on various issues. Starting from violence against children, gender-based violence, climate change, youth entrepreneurship, youth leadership, youth health, clean water and sanitation, stunting, and others.

The first PlaNet monthly meeting was held in September 2023 with the theme of Young People’s Political Participation. Meanwhile, the 2nd monthly meeting was held in October 2023 with the theme of Breaking Stigma and Building Mental Wellbeing. In November 2023, the 3rd monthly meeting was held in conjunction with the Girls Leadership Class as a series of Girls Takeover 2023.

PlaNet Plan Indonesia