Disabled Girl in Kendari Raped Repeatedly, Perpetrator Not Yet Arrested

A disabled girl was raped repeatedly in Kendari. The perpetrator who threatened to kill the victim has not been arrested.

SALMAN

The victim's mother, who is also the mother of the defendant in the sexual violence case, looks on in the courtroom of the Baubau District Court, Southeast Sulawesi, Friday (10/27/2023).

KENDARI, KOMPAS — A mentally retarded girl was raped repeatedly by a man in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi. The victim was threatened with death if she reported the perpetrator's actions. Approaching two weeks of reporting, the perpetrator has not been arrested.

"We found out when Mr. RW came to ask about this because the suspect's wife suspected they had a relationship. The victim admitted to being raped there and was threatened with death if she reported it," said Irham at the Poasia Police Station in Kendari, on Saturday (27/7/2024).

According to Irham, this incident started in June when the perpetrator helped build his sibling's house next to the victim's house. At that time, the perpetrator often saw the victim who only lived in the house. The victim, who was 21 years old, had only attended elementary school.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

Poasia Police Station in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Saturday (27/7/2024).

Some time later, the perpetrator molested the victim again. The perpetrator even pulled the victim into the mosque toilet and raped her. The victim did not dare to report it because of the perpetrator's threats.

However, added Irham, the perpetrator's wife suspected that her husband and the victim had a special relationship. "We don't know if she ever saw anything or how, but his wife was suspicious. That's why she reported to the local community head until Mr. RW came to clarify the matter," he said.

Also read: Father in Kendari Rapes 13-Year-Old Daughter

After receiving an explanation from the victim, the family went to the Poasia Police Station on Thursday (18/7/2024) to file a report. "However, until now, the perpetrator has not been arrested. The perpetrator was seen at their family's house and we went there. But the perpetrator escaped," they said.

Ahmad (44), another victim's family member, added that the family hopes the police can soon find and arrest the perpetrator. Because this has caused the victim to suffer and the family to bear shame.

We found out when the RW came to ask about this because the perpetrator's wife suspected that the two of them were having a relationship.

Not only that, various information circulates that the perpetrator has repeatedly carried out actions against others. "We hope that the perpetrator will be arrested soon and held accountable for their actions," said Ahmad.

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The Head of Poasia Police Department, Adjunct Commissioner Jumiran, explained that the rape incident was indeed reported over a week ago. After receiving the report, they tried to gather information and locate the suspect. The suspect is Tata (46), who resides in Laonti, South Konawe. However, the suspect often stays at his relative's house next to the victim's residence.

However, he added, the presence of the culprit is always difficult to find despite circulating information. "We urge the perpetrator to surrender immediately. And anyone who knows their whereabouts to report and not to hide," said Jumiran.

As gathered information, he continued, the perpetrator had also committed rape. However, at that time, the perpetrator was punished according to customary law and the legal process was not pursued.

Also read: Bitter Life of a Family in Baubau, Child Molested, Threatened, and Suspected

Previously, Yustina Fendrita, a companion for victims of sexual violence in Sultra, said that most cases of sexual violence were committed by people known to the victim. They include close family, teachers, and neighbors. However, it is possible that people who have just been met can also be perpetrators of sexual violence, especially against children.

This happens, says Yustina, as a result of weak joint monitoring and the weak position of women and children in society. The mindset that places women in a weak position causes cases of violence to take a long time to be revealed. Moreover, many cases of sexual violence go unaddressed, starting from the reporting process to the court trial.

Therefore, according to Yustina, the police must impose maximum punishment on perpetrators of sexual crimes. Not only that, prevention from all parties must also be carried out through continuous awareness-raising or providing understanding. This is to protect women, especially children, who are so often victims of sexual violence.

KOMPAS/SAIFUL RIJAL YUNUS

A peaceful demonstration was held by the Alliance Against Sexual Violence at the rectorate of Halu Oleo University (UHO) in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi on Friday (29/7/2022).