JAKARTA (ANN/JAKARTA POST) – Indonesia is experiencing a troubling rise in divorce rates, with domestic abuse emerging as the leading cause, alongside financial issues and adultery. The Coordinating Human Development and Culture Ministry reported that 54 per cent of divorcing couples last year cited constant conflict and arguing, with around 1,400 cases involving domestic abuse.
Woro Srihastuti, deputy for Children, Women, and Youth Quality Improvement, highlighted that most abuse victims are women and children. The divorce rate has surged, especially post-COVID-19 when public services were disrupted. In 2021, divorce cases rose sharply to 447,743 from 291,667 in 2020, increasing further to 516,334 in 2022 before slightly declining to 463,654 last year.
Statistics Indonesia revealed a consistent rise in divorces due to domestic abuse over the past three years, with 5,714 cases last year, marking a 4 per cent increase from 2022 and an 8 per cent rise compared to the previous year. Reports of fatal abuse against wives are also becoming more frequent, such as the recent tragic cases in Central Java and East Jakarta.
The Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry recorded 15,688 domestic abuse cases experienced by women in 2023, a 4 per cent increase from the previous year. Domestic abuse accounted for around 66 per cent of all violence against women cases recorded by authorities last year. The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) reported 674 cases of violence against wives in 2023, indicating the severity of the issue.
Komnas Perempuan commissioner Andy Yentriyani emphasised that many incidents remain unreported due to stigma. Even if victims divorce their abusers, they often do not report their cases to the police.
Andy called for more resources to address domestic abuse, including extended premarital classes and better training for police officers to handle these cases. Khotimun Susanti from the Legal Aid Foundation’s Association of Indonesian Women for Justice (LBH Apik) stressed the importance of public education to change the culture of silence surrounding domestic abuse.
Susanti also urged the government to provide psychological counseling, financial aid, and safe houses for abuse victims, suggesting the establishment of a victim trust fund to support those leaving abusive households.
