In late April, 14-year-old girl YY was gang raped and killed by 14 boys and men in Bengkulu. Her case sparked national outrage and pushed the government to react, which they did by introducing tougher punishments for child molesters, including the death penalty and chemical castration.
Despite criticism from activists, public reaction to the tougher measures has been largely positive, as many hope that they will have a deterrent effect on child molesters. However, it appears that there are those in the government who still believe that child molesters aren’t the only ones responsible for their crime – they say the victims’ parents share some of the blame too.
Speaking in front of Commission VIII House members today, Female Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yembise used YY’s case as an example for why negligent parents should be punished as well if their child is molested.
“The blame is on the parents, on the parents’ nurturing [method]. [YY’s] parents had been working at the plantation for days [before YY was raped and killed]. How were they going to care for the child?” she said, as quoted by Detik.
“Sanctions for the parents must be considered as well.”
Yohana’s argument drew instant criticism from House member Maman Imanulhaq.
“You’re blaming the parents. That’s a very painful thing,” he told Yohana.
It is indeed downright shocking and disgraceful for a minister – who is supposed to help empower women and protect children, no less – to come out with such an insensitive statement. Not only could her words deeply hurt rape victims’ parents, who would never wish such harm upon their own children, but this kind of argument can detract the blame from the only people deserving of the blame in any sexual assault case: the perpetrator.
But if Yohana really wants to blame YY’s parents, then why should she stop there? Why not blame the government for creating a society with huge wealth inequalities that led to YY’s parents having to work at the plantation for days? Or, better yet, why not blame herself and her ministry for not being there when YY, a child of 14, needed protection?
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