Women Victims of Sexual Violence: How Does Indonesian Criminal Law Responsibility for Psychological Trauma?
Article Integrity
Article Metrics
702
Article Views
459
PDF Downloads
0
Crossref Citations
Abstract
Sexual violence is a health problem affecting women and adolescents throughout the world, and the phenomenon is particularly prevalent in Indonesia. Sexual violence not only causes physical harm, but also psychological trauma that has long-term impacts on the mental, emotional, and social lives the victims. This study aims to examine psychological trauma from the perspective of Indonesian criminal law, and to analyze Indonesian criminal law responsibility toward the psychological trauma experienced by victims. This study adopts a normative-juridical research method with statute and conceptual approaches, which are then analyzed qualitatively through descriptive-analytical and prescriptive techniques with reference to Law No. 23 of 2004 on the Elimination of Domestic Violence, Law No. 31 of 2014 on the Protection of Witnesses and Victims, and Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes. The findings show that Indonesian criminal law view psychological trauma as an inner wound like a physical injury, and therefore it must be compensated and restored. Indonesian criminal law responsibility for victims’ psychological trauma is channeled through preventive, curative, restitutive, and reintegrative dimensions oriented toward victim recovery. However, its implementation still faces several obstacles, including the dominance of a retributive approach, limited acces to psychological recovery services in regional areas, and lack a of understanding among law enforcement officers regarding victims’ trauma.
References
1
[1] A. P. Angraini and I. D. A. Nurhaeni, “Community governance dalam penanganan kasus kekerasan terhadap perempuan: Studi pada Rifka Annisa Women’s Crisis Center,” Politika: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 139–158, 2025. https://doi.org/10.14710/politika.16.2.2025.139-158
2
[2] R. Roskvist et al., “Sexual violence and unwanted sexual experiences among adolescents: Prevalence, trends and disparities among a representative cross-sectional study of high school students in Aotearoa New Zealand,” Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, vol. 50, no. 1, Art. no. 100292, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100292
3
[3] E. Carmo, N. Brazão, P. Costa, B. Moreira, and J. Carvalho, “The prevention of sexual violence in school settings with adolescents: A study protocol for the cluster randomized trial of the SUN (Stand Up Now Against Sexual Violence) program,” Contemporary Clinical Trials, vol. 166, Art. no. 108360, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2026.108360
4
[4] S. Gjertsson, A. Sarkadi, and A. Fäldt, “‘Maybe rape is illegal?’ How adolescents with intellectual disabilities experience a sexual violence prevention intervention,” Research in Developmental Disabilities, vol. 172, Art. no. 105290, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2026.105290
5
[5] T. W. Shinyemba, S. Shiode, and K. Devries, “Context or composition? Spatial Bayesian analysis of sexual violence against adolescent girls and young women in Namibia,” Social Science & Medicine, vol. 403, Art. no. 119433, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119433
6
[6] T. Al Zayat et al., “Childhood sexual violence and sleep disturbances in adulthood: Findings from a large French population-based study (CONSTANCES),” Sleep Health, vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 458–468, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleh.2026.03.005
7
[7] O. Gallardo, S. Lelaurain, and T. Apostolidis, “Care of victims of sexual violence against minors by social and health professionals: A scoping review,” Child Protection Practice, vol. 9, Art. no. 100304, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2026.100304
8
[8] P. Wahyuni, A. Irma, and S. Arifin, Perempuan dan Media. Banda Aceh, Indonesia: Syiah Kuala University Press, 2021.
9
[9] R. Inayah and S. Palila, “Resilience process of a victim sexual violence in women: Transformations from victim to activist,” Humanitas: Indonesian Psychological Journal, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26555/humanitas.v19i1.7
10
[10] R. Rahmasari, “Analisa makna ‘persetujuan’ dalam Permendikbud Ristek No. 30 Tahun 2021 terhadap fenomena kekerasan seksual di lingkungan pendidikan yang dianggap sebagai upaya legitimasi terhadap perzinaan,” Jurnal Penegakan Hukum dan Keadilan, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 78–89, 2022. https://doi.org/10.18196/jphk.v3i1.13484
11
[11] B. Hall and B. Chapman, “Domestic and sexual violence in Australia: Current evidence and the potential role of forensic science,” Forensic Science International: Synergy, vol. 12, Art. no. 100665, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2026.100665
12
[12] N. Delmas, A. Pasquereau, J.-B. Ricard, V. Nguyen-Thanh, and F. E.-K. Lesueur, “Lifetime sexual violence and tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use among French adults: A national survey,” Preventive Medicine Reports, vol. 68, Art. no. 103547, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2026.103547
13
[13] A. Martin-Storey et al., “Linking cissexist and heterosexist violence and sexual violence among adolescents and young adults: A scoping review of the quantitative literature,” Aggression and Violent Behavior, vol. 87, Art. no. 102138, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2026.102138
14
[14] L. Mahfiana, Masrukin, D. Zahro, and L. Santoso, “The structure and culture of negotiating child victims’ rights in cases of sexual violence,” Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum, vol. 34, no. 1, 2026. https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v34i1.42348
15
[15] E. Serrano-Rodríguez, V. Luque-Ribelles, and V. Hervías-Parejo, “Psychosocial consequences of sexual assault on women: A scoping review,” Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 54, no. 1, pp. 231–258, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-024-03013-1
16
[16] J. E. Crowley, “Technology-facilitated gender-based violence: Categorizing and understanding sexual abuse against women ridesharing drivers,” Women’s Studies International Forum, vol. 114, Art. no. 103197, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2025.103197
17
[17] World Health Organization, Violence Against Women Prevalence Estimates, 2018. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240022256
18
[18] P. D. Valencia and A. De La Rosa-Gómez, “Post-traumatic stress symptoms in women with a history of sexual trauma: A network approach,” European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, vol. 10, no. 1, Art. no. 100630, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejtd.2025.100630
19
[19] L. S. Flor et al., “Disease burden attributable to intimate partner violence against females and sexual violence against children in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2023: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023,” The Lancet, vol. 407, no. 10523, pp. 31–52, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02503-6
20
[20] V. Jackson, D. H. Sullivan, D. Mawren, A. Freiberg, J. Kulkarni, and R. Darjee, “Trauma-informed sentencing of serious violent offenders: An exploration of judicial dispositions with a gendered perspective,” Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 748–773, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/13218719.2020.1855267
21
[21] R. Murphy and B. Harris, “Can current post-traumatic growth models capture the lived experience of life with a fluctuating chronic illness? Towards a new model,” British Journal of Health Psychology, vol. 30, no. 3, Art. no. e70003, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjhp.70003
22
[22] M. L. Pijpers, M. L. V. Covers, S. Houterman, and I. A. E. Bicanic, “Risk factors for PTSD diagnosis in young victims of recent sexual assault,” European Journal of Psychotraumatology, vol. 13, no. 1, Art. no. 2047293, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2022.2047293
23
[23] K. Jakubowski, H. N. Thomas, C. J. Gibson, K. C. Koenen, P. M. Maki, and R. C. Thurston, “Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and sexual function among midlife women,” Maturitas, vol. 206, Art. no. 108839, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2026.108839
24
[24] J. Schnittker, “What makes sexual violence different? Comparing the effects of sexual and non-sexual violence on psychological distress,” SSM—Mental Health, vol. 2, Art. no. 100115, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2022.100115
25
[25] M. F. Hertini, D. Karlina, S. Ismawati, L. Maryana, and D. A. Addhauly, “Implikasi Undang-Undang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual terhadap aspek perlindungan korban,” Jurnal Litigasi, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 135–170, 2022. https://doi.org/10.23969/litigasi.v23i2.5929
26
[26] R. E. Koesma, I. S. L. Nelwan, F. A. Abidin, and P. R. Nelwan, Merdeka dari Kekerasan: Belajar dari Pengalaman. Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Sanata Dharma University Press, 2025.
27
[27] Komnas Perempuan, “Siaran pers Komnas Perempuan: Peluncuran Catatan Tahunan Kekerasan terhadap Perempuan 2025,” 2026. [Online]. Available: https://komnasperempuan.go.id/siaran-pers-detail/siaran-pers-komnas-perempuan-peluncuran-catatan-tahunan-kekerasan-terhadap-perempuan-2025
28
[28] GoodStats, “Kasus kekerasan seksual meningkat, pelaku kebanyakan dari lingkungan terdekat,” 2026. [Online]. Available: https://goodstats.id/article/kasus-kekerasan-seksual-meningkat-pelaku-dari-lingkungan-terdekat-wAQMH
29
[29] R. Margono, Korban yang Bicara: Viktimologi dalam Sistem Peradilan Pidana (Kriminologi & Hukum Pidana). Yogyakarta, Indonesia: Yayasan Putra Adi Dharma, 2025.
30
[30] Y. Afifah and D. Y. Julianis, “Pertanggungjawaban pidana terhadap pelaku obstruction of justice dalam perkara tindak pidana kekerasan seksual,” Lex Renaissance, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 91–112, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20885/JLR.vol8.iss1.art6
31
[31] N. P. R. Yuliartini, Hartana, L. N. Kbarek, and S. Monteiro, “From retribution to restoration: Human rights-based legal protection for women victims of sexual violence,” Jurnal Media Hukum, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 281–300, 2025. https://doi.org/10.18196/jmh.v32i2.26214
32
[32] P. A. S. Fanny, R. B. Sularto, and U. Rozah, “Penegakan hukum tindak pidana pemerkosaan dalam status perkawinan (marital rape) ditinjau dari Undang-Undang No. 23 Tahun 2004 tentang Penghapusan Kekerasan Dalam Rumah Tangga,” Diponegoro Law Journal, vol. 11, no. 2, 2022. https://doi.org/10.14710/dlj.2022.33423
33
[33] E. Nurisman, “Risalah tantangan penegakan hukum tindak pidana kekerasan seksual pasca lahirnya Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022,” Jurnal Pembangunan Hukum Indonesia, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 170–196, 2022. https://doi.org/10.14710/jphi.v4i2.170-196
34
[34] H. S. Flora, S. Manalu, and N. Y. Thapa, “The restorative justice orientation regarding sexual violence occurring in religious-based educational environments in Indonesia,” Jurnal Dinamika Hukum, vol. 23, no. 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jdh.2023.23.3.3715
35
[35] Y. Saefudin, F. R. N. Wahidah, R. Susanti, L. K. Adi, and P. M. Putri, “Tindak pidana kekerasan seksual dan perlindungan hukum bagi korban kekerasan seksual di Indonesia,” Kosmik Hukum, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 24–34, 2023. https://doi.org/10.30595/kosmikhukum.v23i1.17320
36
[36] R. Silmi, R. Hendriana, Budiyono, J. Barkhuizen, and S. P. Harahap, “Legal protection for victims of sexual violence and the rights of victims,” Jurnal Dinamika Hukum, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2024. https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jdh.2024.24.1.3884
37
[37] N. Rosida, A. Rifti, and A. N. Prihartanti, “Perlindungan hukum terhadap perempuan dari kekerasan seksual dan pelecehan seksual di tempat kerja,” Jurnal USM Law Review, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 680–696, 2026. https://doi.org/10.26623/julr.v9i2.12613
38
[38] Muhaimin, Metode Penelitian Hukum. Mataram, Indonesia: Mataram University Press, 2020.
39
[39] P. M. Marzuki, Metode Penelitian Hukum. Jakarta, Indonesia: Kencana Prenada Media Grup, 2009.
40
[40] UNICEF, Gender Equality: Global Annual Results Report 2022. New York, NY, USA: UNICEF, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.unicef.org/reports/global-annual-results-report-2022-gender-equality
41
[41] C. Benjet et al., “The epidemiology of traumatic event exposure worldwide: Results from the World Mental Health Survey Consortium,” Psychological Medicine, vol. 46, no. 2, pp. 327–343, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291715001981
42
[42] R. C. Kessler et al., “Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys,” European Journal of Psychotraumatology, vol. 8, suppl. 5, Art. no. 1353383, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1080/20008198.2017.1353383
43
[43] L. Sardinha, C. García-Moreno, and R. Guthold, “Global estimated prevalence of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence against ever-partnered women, by age, 2018,” Journal of Adolescent Health, vol. 70, no. 6, pp. 846–847, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.12.019
44
[44] O. T. Muldoon et al., “Collective post-traumatic growth: Validating and measuring positive change in the collective self among victims of sexual violence,” Political Psychology, vol. 47, no. 2, Art. no. e70061, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1111/pops.70061
45
[45] R. Tandoko and A. Prihatin, “Analisis yuridis tanggung jawab maskapai penerbangan atas trauma psikologis penumpang selamat di Indonesia,” Tanjungpura Law Journal, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 299–316, 2025. https://doi.org/10.26418/tlj.v9i2.91618
46
[46] K. J. McLachlan, “Trauma-informed sentencing: How South Australian sentencing judges use information about defendants’ child sexual abuse victimization and subsequent trauma,” Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 485–506, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2023.2219674
47
[47] T. L. Slovinsky, “The thread of trauma: A critical analysis of the criminal justice system,” Social Sciences, vol. 12, no. 9, Art. no. 467, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090467
48
[48] H. Widodo, A. Mashdurohatun, Kristiawanto, A. B. Santos, and D. Yunanda, “Restitution as an instrument of justice for victims of domestic sexual violence: A study of positive and Islamic law in the contemporary era,” MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 676–699, 2025. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v4i1.10436
49
[49] R. Renggong, Hukum Pidana Khusus: Memahami Delik-Delik di Luar KUHP. Jakarta, Indonesia: Kencana, 2016.
50
[50] E. Wouters, L. Constanty, S. Urben, and J. Gasser, “Expert reports for credibility assessments in case of sexual abuse allegations in the Swiss judicial context: A retrospective study of the socio-demographic, clinical and forensic characteristics of the cases and the appropriate use of the Statement Validity Analysis,” Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine, vol. 114, Art. no. 102900, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2025.102900
51
[51] M. Mahfud and R. Rizanizarli, “Domestic violence against women in Indonesia: The recent Domestic Violence Elimination Law analysis,” Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 385–398, 2021. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v15no4.2276
52
[52] B. Asfari and F. Hakim, “Hak restitusi sebagai perlindungan terhadap korban tindak pidana pada Lembaga Perlindungan Saksi dan Korban,” Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Prima, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 120–129, 2023. https://doi.org/10.34012/jihp.v6i1.3227
53
[53] S. Kuba, “Optimalisasi perlindungan saksi dan korban dalam rangka memantapkan penegakan hukum di Indonesia,” Jurnal Kajian Ilmiah, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 89–100, 2022. https://doi.org/10.31599/v0pgmx50
54
[54] P. J. Hairi and M. Latifah, “Implementasi Undang-Undang Nomor 12 Tahun 2022 tentang Tindak Pidana Kekerasan Seksual,” Jurnal Negara Hukum, vol. 14, no. 2, pp. 163–179, 2023. https://doi.org/10.22212/jnh.v14i2.4108
55
[55] Panusunan, A. Widyawati, D. Sulistianingsih, and R. K. Nababan, “Reformulation of law decision bias on restitution payments in sexual violence crimes: Comparison of Indonesia and the Netherlands,” Journal of Law and Legal Reform, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 1275–1304, 2025. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v6i3.22109
56
[56] C. C. Izu, S. Fabamise, and O. Oyewole, “Re-conceptualising the theory of justice and the needs of victims of sexual violence in Nigeria: An appraisal of a victim-centered approach,” F1000Research, vol. 13, Art. no. 1288, 2024. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.153823.1
57
[57] I. Rasiwan, Suatu Pengantar Hukum Pembuktian Tindak Pidana. Bantul, Indonesia: CV Mitra Edukasi Negeri, 2025.
58
[58] Y. A. T. Ohoiwutun, F. M. Nugroho, Samsudi, and A. Dewanto, “Peran ahli jiwa dalam pembuktian tindak pidana kekerasan psikis dalam rumah tangga,” Veritas Justitia, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 219–242, 2022. https://doi.org/10.25123/vej.v8i1.4443
59
[59] T. Prasetyo, Hukum Pidana. Jakarta, Indonesia: Rajawali Pers, 2012.
60
[60] K. T. Wibowo and W. Anjari, Hukum Pidana Materiil. Jakarta, Indonesia: Kencana, 2022.
61
[61] I. D. A. Nurhaeni, S. Sajida, and S. Yuliani, “Reframing inclusive governance through equitable leadership in child sexual violence policy: Evidence from Surakarta City, Indonesia,” Child Protection Practice, vol. 9, Art. no. 100314, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chipro.2026.100314
62
[62] B. Waluyo, Penyelesaian Perkara Pidana: Penerapan Keadilan Restoratif dan Transformatif. Jakarta Timur, Indonesia: Sinar Grafika, 2020.
63
[63] Hukum Online, “Tata cara permohonan kompensasi dan restitusi bagi korban kejahatan,” 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.hukumonline.com/klinik/a/tata-cara-permohonan-kompensasi-dan-restitusi-bagi-korban-kejahatan-lt62503bd0f3ae8/
64
[64] I. Amithasari and H. Khotimah, “Pengaruh dukungan sosial keluarga terhadap harga diri perempuan korban kekerasan dalam pacaran,” Jurnal Psikologi Tabularasa, vol. 16, no. 2, pp. 83–92, 2021. https://doi.org/10.26905/jpt.v16i2.7699
65
[65] N. K. A. M. Y. H. Pariartha, A. C. Az Zahra, C. T. Anggini, and N. Eva, “The role of forgiveness and social support on psychological well-being among women in dating violence,” Jurnal Psikologi Teori dan Terapan, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 130–143, 2022. https://doi.org/10.26740/jptt.v13n2.p130-143
66
[66] S. R. Ramadhani and R. N. Nurwati, “Dampak traumatis remaja korban tindakan kekerasan seksual serta peran dukungan sosial keluarga,” Share: Social Work Journal, vol. 12, no. 2, Art. no. 131, 2023. https://doi.org/10.24198/share.v12i2.39462
67
[67] E. Murdiana, N. Rodliyah, R. Natamiharja, M. N. Fathoni, and G. K. Jha, “The victim’s best interest principle in Islamic law: An examination of the substance of sexual violence in Muslim majority countries in the contemporary era,” MILRev: Metro Islamic Law Review, vol. 5, no. 1, pp. 33–60, 2026. https://doi.org/10.32332/milrev.v5i1.10654
68
[68] F. A. L. Nitha, A. Masyhar, A. Cholidin, M. R. Ilahi, and A. Z. Bahriyah, “Optimalisasi implementasi UU TPKS: Tantangan dan solusi dalam upaya penghapusan kekerasan seksual di Indonesia,” Masalah-Masalah Hukum, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 90–100, 2024. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.53.1.2024.90-100
Author Biographies
Rhesas Shalatan
Faculty of Law
Mega Fitri Hertini
Department of Criminal Law
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Rhesas Shalatan, Mega Fitri Hertini
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Article Information
Published
2026-06-25
Issue
Article Tools
Citation Impact
Crossref Cited-by
0
citations
Counted from citation links between Crossref-registered works.
Last checked 11 Nov 2026.